Field Trials of Bt Cowpea Reveal Effective Resistance to Pest in Ghana
April 30, 2025| |
Cowpea, an important crop in sub-Saharan Africa, faces devastating yield losses exceeding 80% because of the legume pod borer (LPB), Maruca vitrata. Cowpea varieties lack natural resistance to this particular pest, and conventional insecticides are often ineffective. Thus, a genetically modified (GM) cowpea (Sampea 20-T in Nigeria and Songotra T in Ghana) was developed to express the cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), providing effective resistance to LPB.
Field trials in multiple locations of northern Ghana revealed the performance and financial returns of Bt cowpea (Songotra T) compared to a non-transgenic control (Songotra) and two commercial cultivars (Kirkhouse-Benga and Wang-Kae). Bt cowpea exhibited effective protection against LPB infestation and damage, as well as significantly higher grain yield compared to other varieties. Economic analysis further revealed the superior profitability of Bt cowpea, yielding a 464% return on investment, significantly outperforming the 214% return of the other cultivars.
These findings underscore the significant potential of GM crops to improve yields and profitability for resource-limited farmers. The successful development and evaluation of Bt cowpea highlight the role of biotechnology in addressing agricultural challenges and enhancing food security in regions heavily reliant on this vital legume.
Read more findings in Agronomy.
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