Effects of cowpea severe mosaic virus on growth, nodulation and yield of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Trinidad

Abstract

In a pot study with three vegetable cowpea cultivars, CSMV inoculation induced different effects on plant development and nodulation. The most susceptible cultivar was 'Los Banos Bush Sitao No.l'. Early CSMV inoculation (5 and 13 days after planting) reduced leaf area, shoot weight and nodule weight in 'Los Bahos Bush', but later inoculation had no effect. In a field study under two N regimes, pod yield of 'Los Banos Bush' was reduced by CSMV only in the absence of fertilizer N. Supplemental N reduced the injurious effects of the pathogen on plant growth and yield.