English - McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program

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McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project No: 06-741 Table 13. Proportion of farmers preferences of trial lines based on selected criteria Entry Criteria Site or village Bala Bunda Mngwa Mpokwa Mpokwa Lisaka ngwa Khuvinda CChibisa Sadzi vge Vge n 24 40 17 40 39 32 5=IT98K-503-1 Seed size 4 100 100 90 10 34 Plant type 0 100 100 5 0 59 Early maturity 0 100 100 0 100 3 Insect resistant 0 100 100 0 0 28 Disease resistant 0 100 100 0 25 38 9=IT97K-7-21-2-2- 1 Seed size 100 100 65 60 100 53 Plant type 100 40 41 35 0 63 Early maturity 0 100 47 0 0 0 Insect resistant 71 100 100 0 0 0 Disease resistant 71 100 100 0 0 0 21=IT99K-493-6 Seed size 100 25 71 55 60 50 Plant type 4 0 88 0 26 81 Early maturity 100 0 41 45 67 100 Insect resistant 0 0 100 0 44 100 Disease resistant 0 0 100 0 21 63 37=IT99K-825-15 Seed size 100 70 0 100 38 0 Plant type 0 100 41 15 0 44 Early maturity 0 83 0 0 0 0 Insect resistant 0 100 100 25 0 0 Disease resistant 0 100 100 15 0 13 52=IT82E-16 Seed size 71 35 91 75 28 59 Plant type 100 40 100 100 49 63 Early maturity 100 55 100 100 62 81 Insect resistant 0 60 100 100 40 57 38 2009 Disease resistant 0 50 100 100 26 100 Seed size 75 83 88 75 21 82 53=Sudan Plant type 100 100 100 100 49 68 Early maturity 100 100 100 100 59 100 Insect resistant 100 100 100 100 59 100 Disease resistant 100 15 100 100 77 59 Farmers local Seed size 100 50 0 65 39 19 Plant type 100 0 0 100 41 19 Early maturity 0 75 0 0 0 0 Insect resistant 0 0 0 100 72 0 Disease resistant 0 0 0 100 62 0 1.7 GENERAL DISCUSSION The results of the field test have been informative due to close association between yield data, yield components and agronomic traits. The interesting point is that the earlier maturing released varieties gave highest yields. In general, longer maturity varieties are expected to give higher yields, the reason for low yields could be low yield potential, or uncontrolled insect pest attack. The key observations on the entries are summarized in Table 14 below. All entries were equally prone to pests and diseases. The
McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project No: 06-741 high yields recorded under famer’s conditions are encouraging for them to grow cowpea for food and income generation. Table 14. Key traits and strengths of trial entries Entry Key traits and strength 5=IT98K-503-1 Low yielder, medium maturity (64 days), disease prone, poor farmer preference, medium Alectra resistance 9=IT97K-825-15 Large seed size, low yielder, good Alectra resistance, medium farmer preference, long maturity period (73 days), disease and pest prone 21=IT99K-7-21-2-2- Good seed size, medium maturity (65 days), very good Alectra resistance, 1 prone to pests, earmarked for release. 37=IT99K-494-6 Poor farmer preference, late maturity (74 days), very good Alectra resistance, poor yielder, prone to disease and insect pests 52=Sudan-1 Low Alectra resistance, high yielder, small seeded, liked by farmers, early maturity, released variety 53=IT82E-16 Low Alectra resistance, high yielder, small seeded, liked by farmers, early maturity, released variety 54=Local Variable traits depending on source, largely late maturing, pest prone, medium yields 2. INCORPORATION OF ALECTRA RESISTANCE INTO ADAPTED VARIETIES This work is in progress. The released lines are being upgraded to incorporate Alectra vogelii resistance. The donor lines for Sudan-1 are IT97K-820-18, IT99K-1060, IT99K494-6, IT97K-7-21-2-2-1, and IT93K-452-1. The donor linefor IT82E-16 is 1T81D-994. The work is at backcross 2 stage to be followed by selfing. 3. COLLABORATIVE STUDENT WORK 3.1 BSc student (Cowpea variety x time of planting x density trial) During the season an undergraduate student undertook a study on cowpea time of planting x variety x density trial. The objective was to determine how these factors interact to optimize crop yields with respect to rainfall and the need to plant late to avoid disease and insect pressure. Preliminary observations showed that early planting was the best for yield and less disease infection. This was because there was a dry spell soon after the first planting. This might have led to conditions not favourable for the build up of the diseases. 3.2: MSC Student (Ms Elida Kazira - Farmer Participatory Selection of Alectra Resistant Cowpea Varieties in Selected Districts of Malawi).The student has submitted her thesis which is in the hands of examiner. 4. CAPACITY BUILDING AND SCALING OUT OF IMPROVED COWPEA LINES 4.1 Primary seed support The project provided small packs of seed of 0.5 kg each to all project participating farmers Mpokwa and Mngwangwa EPA (about 60 farmers at each EPA). Participating farmers in Kasungu were also given this support. Many farmers planted this in pure stand while others planted this in intercrop with maize. The objective of this program was to provide an experience for the farmers to grow cowpea intensively (as sole crop) and to practice pest management and observe results. Some of the farmers we monitored managed to get good yields and were motivated to produce cowpeas. We have helped these farmers to store some of their seeds so that they can plant more cowpeas next season. During field days and visits farmers were trained on principles of cowpea seed production. Farmers were also encouraged to use their cowpea to practice the different recipes which they learned from the project. 4.2 Agriculture fair participation and sharing of cowpea recipes In June 2009 the farmers from Mngwangwa EPA, on their own accord, organized themselves to participate at a District Agriculture Fair held in the same EPA. The farmers demonstrated a range of 39 2009
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English - McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program

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