Abstract

The cultivation of traditional varieties of cowpeas has slowed down in Mali in recent years. The cause of this has been traced to climatic changes preventing local varieties from completing their biological cycle. The first two phases of this project succeeded in disseminating new cowpeas varieties which mature early and fast (in 65-70 days as compared to 90-120 days of the local variety). The effect has been a reduction in food scarcity and rural migration, and an increase in the cash income of villagers. This third phase will concentrate on acceptable varieties which insure a more stable yield by being more resistant to drought and striga. It will also look at storage methods and agronomic techniques used in intercropping of cowpeas and bambara groundnuts. In addition the Malian scientists' ability to lead research programs in this field will be strengthened through training.

Post-Project Summary

Cowpea and bambara-nut (Voandzeia subterranea) exploratory work conducted by researchers in the Ségou and Mopti areas yielded 128 ecotypes of cowpea, for a total of 330 accessions, and 86 ecotypes of bambara nut, for a total of 150 accessions. A selection program designed for each agro-ecological zone in Mali features cowpea and bambara-nut cultivars that meet consumer demands and are resistant to insects, disease, striga, drought and other problems. Over the short term, researchers evaluated both local ecotypes and exotic varieties, selecting five local early- ripening ecotypes (55-65 days), five midseason ecotypes (70-90 days), and four ecotypes for mixed farming (forage). Four exotic varieties were chosen for tolerance to drought, one for resistance to viruses, one for resistance to weevils, and four for resistance to striga. Most of these varieties were crossed with the best local cultivars. Eight promising bambara-nut cultivars were admitted to the pre-extension part of the program. As one of the program's long-term goals, varieties selected for taste continued to be crossed with those resistant to viruses, weevils, striga, etc.

Agronomic work involved mainly fertilization, or the use of natural Tilemsi Valley phosphate, and the identification of optimum doses of nutrient elements for pure and associated cultures. The recommended dose for pure cowpea culture was 65 kg/ha of single super phosphate. In grain/legume rotation systems, 300 kg of rock phosphate for three years produced encouraging results. Work continued on rock phosphate doses in pure cowpea culture. Other research focused on various legume/grain mixes and crops, with a number of different technologies employed to increase system yield. However, it was noted that cowpea monoculture was becoming of increasing interest to peasant farmers, making the transition from secondary to cash crop. In some areas (Ségou-Kayes and Mopti), cowpea yields rose from 200 to 1000 kg or even 1500 kg/ha of seed, and bambara-nut yields, from 800 to 2000 kg/ha. Harvest by-products (dry matter) have increasingly been replacing pasturage.

One team member completed a doctoral dissertation and another a master's thesis at Laval University. The project leader took part in an international technology colloquium on "Grain Growing and Processing in Arid Regions" in Cameroon in March 1988; the Fourth Meeting of the West and Central African Cowpea-Network Steering Committee in Nigeria in November 1988; and the Joint Corn-Cowpea Network Workshop in Togo in March 1989. The project agronomist completed an internship on cowpea research and production in Benin in the fall of 1988, and two other team members participated in the Inter-Network Conference on Food-Crop Research and Production in Sub-Arid Africa in Niger in March 1991. In addition, 34 cowpea-based recipes were developed during this phase of the project.

Recipient Institution(s)