Review

The major economic field diseases of cowpea in the humid agro-ecologies of South-western Nigeria

A. A. Adegbite¹* and N. A. Amusa²

¹Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Olabisi Onabanjo University, Department of Plant Pathology, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: - ayo_sina521@yahoo.co.uk,  ayoadegbite@softhome.net.

Accepted 20 October, 2008

Cowpea, which has now become an important protein source for the teeming populace of Nigerians especially those living in the humid agro-ecological zones of South-western Nigeria, is severely attacked by diseases. The causal agents of these diseases find the environment more conducive for survival and hence induce disease conditions in the host plant causing significant yield reduction. This paper reviews the present situation of the cowpea diseases in the humid forest agro-ecologies of South-western Nigeria.

Key words: Cowpea, field diseases, humid forest agro-ecology, Southwestern Nigeria.