The fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum can be used for controlling black pea aphid. Bran based fungus can be applied at the rate of 3 kg per 400 m2 immediately after infestation is observed. One application is sufficient.
Disease
Anthracnose of cowpea (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum)
Causes water soaked lesions on leaves, which later become brown and enlarge to form circular spots. The infection may spread to the petiole and young stem also. Petiole infection results in defoliation. Anthtracnose can be managed with seed treatment with Thiram @ 3g/kg of seed followed by Carbendazim spray @ 0.05 per cent at 15, 30 & 45 days after seedling emergence.
Dry root rot of cowpea (Macrophomina phaseolina)
Infected plant suddenly wilts and dies. The bark of the root and basal stem becomes fibrous. The disease appears in patches and become severe during dry periods. Dry root rot can be managed by seed treatment with Trichoderma viride @ 4g/kg of seed or Carbendazim 0.05 per cent of seed or Psuedo-monas fluorescens @ 10g/kg of seed or neem cake soil application @ 20 kg/ ha.
Spray malathion (0.1 per cent) or quinalphos (0.05 per cent) for controlling pea aphids.
Spray carbaryl 0.2 per cent to protect the crop from pod borers. Repeat the application, if infestation persists. Apply the insecticides after harvesting mature pods and pick the pods only 10 days after the application of insecticides.
Pest Management
Pod borer: Larvae bore the pods. Neem oil emulsion 5%/ Carbaryl 0.2% /Fenthion (Labacid 50EC) 1ml per litre. Field sanitation
American serpentine leaf miner : Eats away the chlorophyll of the leaves leaving snake like white scars on the leaf lamina. Neem oil emulsion 10%, ield sanitation.
Black pea aphids : Sucks sap from the leaves, stem, flowers and pods. Neem oil emulsion 10%/ Nattappochedi – soap emulsion/ fungus Fusarium pallidoroseum at 300g/cent immediately after infestation is observed. (only 1 application is necessary). Spray Malathion (0.05%) or quinalphos (0.03%) for controlling pea aphids.
Pod bug : Adults and nymphs suck sap from the pods. Pods get shriveled and discoloured. 20g garlic paste in Malathion 50 EC @ 4 ml per litre, Mechanical control.
[Note: Apply the insecticides after harvesting mature pods and pick the pods only 10 days after the application of insecticides.]
IPM package against major pests of cowpea
- Burning of trash before sowing.
- Selection of seeds from healthy plants.
- Clean cultivation.
- Soil drenching with Bordeaux mixture 1% wherever fungal diseases is prevalent.
- Treating the seeds with Rhizobium culture @ 250 – 375 g/ha before sowing.
- Monitoring the field incidence of pests/population of natural enemies especially at flowering stage (for Aphis craccivora, epilachna beetles and pod borers) and at pod formation stage for pod bugs.
- Adoption of mechanical methods of pest control such as application of dry leaf ash at 10 DAS, keeping yellow sticky trap/ yellow pan tray, collection and destruction of infested leaves, flower buds and pods, sweeping & destruction of pests.
- Collection and release of potential natural enemies viz: grubs & adults of Coccinella transversalis,Cheilo menes sexmaculatus,Harmonia octo maculata and maggots of Ischiodon scutellare
- Need based application of F.pallidoroseum @ 7 x 106 /ml specifically for the management of A. craccivora.
- Need based application of 5% neem kernel suspension (NKS) or Chlorpyriphos 0.05% at 45 DAS in the case of moderate incidence of A.craccivora, pod borers & a secondary spray using 5% NKS at 60 DAS if needed against pod borers & pod bugs.
For protecting cowpea seeds against pests under storage conditions, smear the seeds with groundnut or coconut oil at 1%.
Spray Quinalphos 0.03% at 60 DAS in the field along with treatment in storage with dried powdered rhizome of Vayambu (Acorus calamus) 1kg/100kg seed for controlling bruches beetle in cowpea.
The root knot nematode and reniform nematode associated with cowpea can be effectively managed by the application of neem and eupatorium leaves @ 15t/ha, two weeks before sowing.
Spray 1% Bordeaux mixture in early stages to protect the crop from fungal diseases.
For protecting the crop from anthracnose, treat the seeds with Carbendazim(0.05%) and spray the crop with Bordeaux mixture 1% or Carbendazim 0.05% at 15, 30 and 45 days after seedling emergence.
Dry root rot of cowpea can be managed by seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae 4g/kg of seed or Carbendazim 2g/kg of seed or Pseudomonas fluorescens 10g/kg of seed or neem cake soil application @ 20kg/ha.
Disease Management
Anthracnose : Black lesions on leaves and vines, drying of the vines. Seeds treatment with Bavistin @ 2g per kg, 1% Bordeaux mixture/ Fytolan @4g per litre, Field sanitation. Resistant varieties. Application of Trichoderma.
Basal swelling and rot : Swelling, decay in the collar region and rot. Seeds treatment with Bavistin @ 2g per kg, 1% Bordeaux mixture/ Fytolan @ 4g per litre, Field sanitation. Application of Trichoderma.
Mosaic : Yellow mottled appearance on leaves and stunted growth of the plant. Aphid control- 10% neem oil emulsion, Healthy seeds.
Powdery mildew : Ashy spots on the leaves and stem. Apply Karathane 2ml/l.