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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Charleston, South Carolina » Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #193060
Title: RESPONSE OF COWPEA CULTIVARS TO RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI IN FIELD TESTS AT FOUR PLANTING DATES

Author
item Thies, Judy
item BERLAND, PAUL - COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
item Fery, Richard

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2006
Publication Date: 6/1/2006
Citation: Thies, J.A., Berland, P.A., Fery, R.L. 2006. Response of cowpea cultivars to rhizoctonia solani in field tests at four planting dates. HortScience. 41:516.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rhizoctonia solani is an important pathogen of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in the southern U.S. and is the primary cause of seedling diseases in this crop. Stand losses caused by R. solani are especially severe when cowpea is planted in cold, spring soils. Three cowpea cultivars (Coronet, Knuckle Purple Hull, and Mississippi Silver) were evaluated in R. solani-inoculated field tests at four planting dates in Charleston, SC during 2005. The tests were planted on 25 April, 9 May, 27 May, and 13 June. The experimental design for each test was a split-plot with six replicates. Whole plots were cultivars, and sub-plots were inoculated with R. solani and an uninoculated control. Rhizoctonia solani caused significant seedling losses in all cultivars planted on the first three planting dates. Seed weight and seed numbers were reduced for Mississippi Silver in inoculated plots for all planting dates. In general, Mississippi Silver and Coronet had higher stand counts and heavier seed yields than Knuckle Purple Hull, but all three cultivars were susceptible to R. solani. The development of resistant cowpea cultivars would reduce stand losses due to R. solani and improve seed yields of cowpea planted in cold, spring soils.