African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12486

Full Length Research Paper

Variation in reproductive and developmental parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F) reared on ten Botswana cowpea landraces

Motshwari Obopile1*, Keamogetse Masiapeto1 and Chiyapo Gwafila2
1Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana College of Agriculture, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana. 2Department of Agricultural Research, Private Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 19 September 2011
  •  Published: 17 October 2011

Abstract

A study was conducted on ten Botswana cowpea landraces to evaluate their resistance to the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (F) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). The variations in reproductive and developmental parameters were used to evaluate the landraces for resistance against C. maculatus under laboratory conditions. The landraces B339, B383, B013-F and B261-B had significant lower percentage adult emergence and oviposition than the landraces B001-B, B055, B109-C and B154. The landraces B339, B383, B013-F and B261-B also significantly prolonged developmental period of beetles. The reduction in oviposition, beetle emergence and prolonged developmental period by these landraces indicate inherent level of resistance against C. maculatus.

 

Key words: Landrace, Callosobruchus maculatus, resistance, developmental period, Botswana.