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Abstract
Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, L. Walp, is a globally important food and forage legume. In the southeastern United States, the primary pest affecting cowpea production is the cowpea curculio,
Chalcodermus aeneus Boheman. Current control strategies are insufficient, emphasizing the need for
resistant germplasm. This study evaluated cowpea germplasm for resistance to the cowpea curculio
and identified genotypes with potential resistance. Fourteen cowpea genotypes and a susceptible
check were evaluated in four replicated, open choice field experiments over three years. A subset
of five genotypes and a susceptible check were subsequently evaluated in a replicated no choice
experiment. The findings from this research offered insights into the genotypes with established
resistance and document additional resistance observed in the genotypes, which could assist in
development of cowpea cultivars resistant to the cowpea curculio. This research is important for
cowpea improvement and agricultural sustainability in the regions most affected by this destructive
insect pest.