Effects of Titanium Dioxide on The Diseases, Development and Yield of Edible Cowpea

Abstract

Effects of Titanium Dioxide on The Diseases, Development and Yield of Edible Cowpea Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is being considered as a growth promoter that plays the function of antibiotics in cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata Walp) production in Nigeria. Field trials were conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the influence/effect of TiO 2 on the development yield and diseases of cowpea. Two treatments of TiO 2 at 125 cc/ha significantly improved the development and yield and reduced the severity of foliar and pod diseases of cowpea compared to a single treatment at lower concentrations. Irrespective of the number of sprays and concentrations TiO 2 increased the yield of cowpea by 8.74-36.11%, and 10.33-51.31% respectively, in both years.