English - McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program

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,
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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
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2009