Genetic engineering of cowpea for storage pest resistance

Abstract

Cowpea Vigna unguiculata L Walp is an important grain legume widely consumed by 120 million people Cowpea seeds and fresh peas are a rich source of protein certain minerals and vitamins However cowpea seeds are highly susceptible to storage pests bruchid species causing massive damage to the stored seeds and seriously limiting its yield potential Success through conventional breeding methods for developing resistant varieties is limited due to the natural genetic barriers in cowpea germ