Detailed Guide to Identifying and Controlling Common Diseases and Pests of Cowpeas

Cowpeas are a vegetable that many people really enjoy eating, but when eating them you should check whether the cowpeas are old - never eat old cowpeas! This is because old cowpeas contain toxins, and eating them can cause poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and dizziness, and in severe cases shock. Growing cowpeas is relatively easy, but they still cannot escape the harm of diseases, so what diseases can occur during the process of growing cowpeas? How should they be controlled? Let's take a look together!

1. Fusarium wilt

Disease characteristics: Fusarium wilt mainly harms the roots, stems and leaves of cowpeas. In the early stage of infection, the disease starts at the lower part of the plant, and water-soaked patches appear on the leaf margins. The patches gradually expand and extend until finally the entire leaf joins together to form a whole patch, and the leaf finally dies. In addition, cracks begin to appear at the root and stem base, and the color gradually darkens. When external humidity is too high, mold spots also appear on the patches.

Control methods: Do not carry out continuous cropping on the same plot of land; ensure at least two years of crop rotation, and the rotation crops must not be legume crops. Improve the soil, neutralize soil acidity, and reduce pathogens. After the disease occurs, fungicides such as carbendazim wettable powder can be used for control. The dosage depends on the severity of the disease, at least once a week for one month.

2. Viral disease

Disease characteristics: Viral disease mainly harms the leaves of cowpeas. After the leaves are infected, the color deepens in localized areas of the leaf, the affected areas become uneven, and then begin to curl. Viral disease delays the flowering time, causes flowering times to be uneven, and severely reduces the pollination and fertilization rate, which has a major impact on yield and may even lead to total crop failure.

Control methods: When selecting varieties, choose disease-free, pest-free varieties with strong disease resistance. Observe frequently during the growing process, strengthen the use of chemical control, and improve the resistance of cowpeas. Since the main vector is aphids, and aphids not only spread the pathogens of viral disease but also have a major impact on the crop themselves, we should also pay attention to aphid control. Reduce pathogen spread and lower the disease incidence rate.

3. Cowpea rust

Disease characteristics: Cowpea rust mainly also harms the leaves. When leaves are infected with cowpea rust, colored patches appear on the leaves. As time goes on, the color gradually deepens, and the affected parts also begin to bulge. The bulging areas are pathogen spores, and after the seed coat surface breaks, red powder also appears.

Control methods: After harvesting the first crop of cowpeas, thoroughly disinfect the field, destroy the diseased plant residues, and keep them far away from the vegetable garden to avoid further spread. Choose varieties with strong disease resistance and appropriately apply chemical prevention to the plants.

The above are the diseases that often occur when growing cowpeas. The most important thing to pay attention to when growing cowpeas is disease control, because the harm caused by diseases is very great. In mild cases it leads to reduced yield, and in severe cases it can cause total crop failure of cowpeas, so everyone must do a good job of prevention and strengthen field management so that your hard work will not be wasted. That is all for this article. Please be sure to keep following the editor!