Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production in some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) lines in Tanzania.

Seeds of twenty-two cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) lines/cultivars were inoculated with Aspergillus parasiticus (Link) (NRRL 3145) and aflatoxin production was evaluated. All the cowpea samples were susceptible to Aspergillus infection and subsequent aflatoxin production. The amount of aflatoxin produced ranged between 466.6 micrograms/kg to 1 806 micrograms/kg in the case of B (B1 + B2) and 20.8 micrograms/kg to 82.7 micrograms/kg of seed in the case of G (G1 + G2). On the basis of the amount of aflatoxin produced on different samples, it is evident that there is at least partial resistance to aflatoxin production in the tested cowpea lines/cultivars. On the basis of the results obtained in this investigation it is apparent that further selection and breeding could provide cowpea cultivars which are resistant to A. parasiticus infection and aflatoxin production.