<div>Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] is one of the Paraguayan rural families&rsquo; main crops, serving as an essential protein and carbohydrate source. Cowpea aphid borne mosaic virus (CABMV) and cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) were identified infecting cowpea plants. Disease control caused by both viruses is difficult because there is no information about local cowpea resistant cultivars and vector control is not practical. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;In the present work, sixteen cowpea genotypes/cultivars were mechanically inoculated with local isolates of CABMV and CPSMV to identify resistant genotypes/cultivars that can be used in breeding programs. Virus infections were determined by symptoms expression and confirmed by PTA-ELISA. 
 
Result:&nbsp;Genotypes Arroz rojo (V. angularis), TVu 379, TVu 382, TE94-256-2E and TE97-309G-9 were resistant to CABMV. Genotypes Arroz rojo (V. angularis), CNCX-698-128F, TVu 379, TVu 382, TVu-3961, TE97-309G-9 and TE97-309G-3 were resistant to CPSMV. Overall, this study showed that local cowpea cultivars do not offer any resistance to virus infection and the need for resistant germplasms for cowpea breeding programs in the country.</div>

​​Screening Cowpea Genotypes for Resistance to Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV) and Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CPSMV) in Paraguay

Screening Cowpea Genotypes for Resistance to Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV) and Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CPSMV) in Paraguay