Influence of Rhizobium and Virus Inocula on Growth and Yields of Cowpea: A Mini-review

Cowpea is a nutritional grain consumed especially in developing countries of the tropical and subtropical regions. It is prone to attack in its entire stages of growth by pathogens and pests such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and insects. Organisms, whether microbes, plants or animals interact both in isolated and complex systems. These interactions could be plant-plant, plant-microbe, microbe-microbe or microbe-microbe-plant interaction to complete the process of the food web. While some interactions are healthy and beneficial to the parties involved in the relationship, some others are unhealthy and harmful. This review has as its focus microbe-microbe interaction and effects on nodulation and yields of cowpea, with a view to examining the impacts on the sustainability of the food production system. A good knowledge of such interactions could help improve productivity and may allow the development of new strategies for plant protection and the control of parasites as well as for increasing crop yields. Hence this article assesses the influence of rhizobium and virus on cowpea nodulation and yields with a view to evaluating their contributory effects and assessing their individual potency in the interaction.