The Role of Insect Flower Visitors in Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata') Agro-Ecosystem in three Districts in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

Despite its numerous beneficial uses, there is controversy among research scientists about the main type of pollination of cowpea. Therefore, what role do cowpea insect flower visitors play in cowpea agro-ecosystems? In order to answer this question and others this study was undertaken to assess the role of insect flower visitors in cowpea agro-ecosystems in three districts in Central Region of Ghana. The findings would help pest control practitioners to devise appropriate measures to control cowpea pests without destroying useful insects and pollinators. Proportional random sampling was used to select 110 cowpea farmers and 50 Agricultural Extension Officers from the three districts. Questionnaire was the main instrument.' used. Field experiments were also conducted to find out the role of insect flower visitors in cowpea agro-ecosystems. Majority of farmers (98.1%) and Extension Officers (88.6%) indicated that pollinators transfer pollen grains from anthers to stigmas of flowers. However, 1.9% of farmers and 11.4% of Extension Officers stated that pollinators destroy flowers. Flowers visited by Xylocopa calens and Megachile sp. developed more pods and seeds than control flowers. Also, leaves of progenies of flowers visited by Megachile sp. were not as photosynthetically efficient as the leaves of progenies of control flowers. Progenies of flowers visited by Megachile sp had significantly higher phosphorus and protein content than progenies of control flowers. One implication of the findings is that progenies of flowers visited by Megachile may develop reduced leaf area. However, further research will confirm this.