An Evaluation of Five Insecticides for Use against Pests of Cowpeas (Vigna Unguiculata

Abstract

Five insecticides, fenitrothion, carbaryl, lindane, malathion and dimethoa te were evaluated against the }Jests of two promisin!; varieties, Emma and Iran grey, of cowpea Viglla lInglliculata (L. Walp). Highest yields, (9,437 amd 10,737 ikg/iha, var. Iran grey and Emma respectively) of green mature pods in both varieties were obtained by spraying fenitrothion. Lindane gave the second highest yield although not significantly higher than carbaryl. The increase is mainly attributed to the increase in number of pods per plant and decrease in pod and seed damage by Maruca testulalis Geyer, a major pest. Insect pests cf varying economic importance on cowpea plant at the Makerere University Farm near Kampala are listed.