Evaluation of four cowpea lines for bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus)

Cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus Fab., is a major pest of cowpea in storage. Identifying resistance/tolerant varieties among cowpea genotypes will play a major role in improving cowpea production. Sample accessions of cowpea were screened for bruchid resistance and yield a moderately resistant genotype IT81D-994 that can be incorporated in bruchid resistance breeding programs in cowpea improvement.