Browsing by Author "Uba, Chinyere Peace"

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    Resistance and quality parameter of some cowpea varieties infested with cowpea weevils-callosobruchus maculatus fabricus
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2018-07) Uba, Chinyere Peace
    This study evaluated the level of resistance in seven breeding lines of cowpea seeds from the Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria and three landraces collected from Agbani market, Enugu, Nigeria and conducted at the Centre for Agricultural Research and Extension laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 2015/2016 Academic session. All data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and mean separation was done using least significant difference at 5% level of probability. The seeds were infested with cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus) in five repetitions. Proximate analysis, sensory, organoleptic and germination tests were carried out in the laboratory to evaluate the effect of bruchid infestation on the breeding lines and landraces of cowpea seeds in storage. 50g of each seeds were stored in plastic container covered with calico material. The proximate analysis for the seeds was to determine if infestation influenced the percent of crude protein, fat, fibre, ash, moisture and carbohydrate contents of the seeds. There was reduction in protein and carbohydrate content of the seeds (SAMPEA-1 from 23.53% to 18.17% and 21.72% protein then carbohydrate from 58.80% to 46.53% and 42.22%). In the first and second trial the results showed similarity. For the germination test among the seeds, SAMPEA-8 showed higher percent (35.0 and 45.0 % for field germination while 61.7 and 70.0 % for laboratory germination) than other seeds. Seed damage percent recorded lowest in SAMPEA-8 (10 and 14 %) than the other cultivars. In order to reduce postharvest losses of cowpea, the result from this research shows that planting of resistant variety such as SAMPEA-8 may reduce infestation and damage to seeds by cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus), enhance the shelf life and also boost food security programme in Nigeria.