Botanical illustration of cowpea plant with flower and open pod

The Archive  ·  Vigna unguiculata

Cowpea

In 1991, cowpea seeds were selected for the Biosphere 2 experiment — one of a handful of crops trusted to sustain human life in a sealed world. They were chosen because cowpea is remarkably adaptable: drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, protein-rich, nitrogen-fixing. The genes that made them useful then are still here. This archive exists on the belief that they will be needed again — in circumstances we cannot yet predict. Climate. Migration. Famine. Other worlds.

Scroll to explore ↓

The Crop

What cowpea is,
and why it matters

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. — cowpea — is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world, originating in West Africa and now grown across more than 100 countries. It is a warm-season legume that thrives in poor, sandy soils under intense heat and prolonged drought: conditions that defeat most other protein crops. Where soybean fails, cowpea grows.

Unlike cereals, cowpea fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, simultaneously producing food and restoring the soil. A single crop can leave the equivalent of 40–80 kg of nitrogen per hectare behind for the next season. In subsistence farming systems, this means cowpea is not just food — it is infrastructure.

The seeds are 24% protein by dry weight, making cowpea one of the most nutritionally dense grain legumes available to smallholder farmers. Leaves, pods, and stems are also consumed or used as livestock fodder, earning cowpea the name “the dual-purpose crop.” More than 200 million people depend on it as a daily source of protein.

100+
Countries where cowpea is grown
24%
Protein content by dry weight
200M+
People who depend on it daily
7M+
Metric tons produced annually
40–80
kg N/ha fixed per season
50°C
Heat tolerance threshold

Biosphere 2  ·  1991–1993

Cowpea in a sealed world

In September 1991, eight people entered a sealed glass and steel structure in the Sonoran Desert of Oracle, Arizona, and locked the door behind them. They would not emerge for two years. Inside Biosphere 2 — a 1.27-hectare closed ecological system — they would grow all their own food, breathe recycled air, and drink recycled water. The crop selection for this experiment was not arbitrary. Each plant had to justify its place: high caloric yield, high protein, soil compatibility, climate tolerance.

Cowpea was selected. It was one of approximately 25 crops chosen to sustain human life in a world with no outside supply chain.

The selection reflected decades of breeding work on cowpea’s resilience — its ability to produce food under conditions that would cause other crops to fail. That same body of research, much of it conducted by Dr. B.B. Singh and colleagues at IITA and institutions across four continents, is documented in the publications archived on this site.

The Biosphere 2 experiment was one of the first serious attempts to design a self-sustaining crop system for human beings in isolation from Earth’s ecological support. It was not the last. The question it posed — which crops can sustain life when everything else is unavailable? — is being asked again, now, by space agencies planning long-duration missions.

The Book

The definitive synthesis

Cowpea: The Food Legume of the 21st Century — book cover

Cowpea: The Food Legume of the 21st Century

Dr. B.B. Singh  ·  Crop Science Society of America  ·  2014

Published in 2014 by the Crop Science Society of America, this book represents the most comprehensive treatment of cowpea breeding, genetics, production, nutrition, and utilization ever assembled. It draws on more than four decades of field research across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

The title was deliberately chosen. Cowpea’s combination of heat tolerance, drought resistance, and protein density positions it as one of the crops most likely to remain viable as climate conditions shift through the 21st century and beyond. This book is both a scientific record and an argument.

Buy on Amazon Publisher

The Research

245 publications · 1968–2018

Fifty years of field work, variety registrations, resistance studies, and cropping systems research — from India to Tanzania to Nigeria to Brazil. Filter by decade to follow the arc of the work.

Showing all 245 publications

  1. 1.Singh, B.B., H.H. Hadley and F.I. Collins 1968. Distribution of fatty acids in germinating soybean seeds Crops Sci. 8: 171-173.
  2. 2.Singh, B.B., H.H. Hadley 1968. Maternal control of oil synthesis in soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merrill. Crop Sci. 8: 622-625.
  3. 3.Bernard, R.L. and B.B. Singh 1969. Inheritance of pubscence type in soybean: glabrous, curly, dense, sparse and puberulent. Crop Sci. 9: 192-197.
  4. 4.Singh, B.B. and S.C. Gupta 1969. Grow soybean in spring too. Ind. Farmer's Dig. 2: 11-12.
  5. 5.Singh, J.N. and B.B. Singh 1970. Soybean: A miracle crop. Ind. Farmers Dig. 3: 9-12.
  6. 6.Singh, B.B., H.H. Hadley and R.L. Bernard 1971. Morphology of pubescence in soybean and its relationship to plant vigour. Crop. Sci. 11: 13-16.
  7. 7.Singh, B.B. 1972. High frequency of natural cross pollination in a mutant strain of soybean. Curr. Sci. 41: 832-833.
  8. 8.Singh, B.B., S.C. Gupta and B.D. Singh 1974. Note on 'UPAS 120' an early maturing mutant pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) (L.) Millsp.) Indian J. Agric. Sci. 44: 233-234.
  9. 9.Chaudhary, D. N. and B.B. Singh 1974. Heterosis for some quantitative characters in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). Indian J. Genet. 34:69-74.
  10. 10.Chaudhary, D.N. and B.B. Singh 1974. Correlation and path-cofficient analysis of yield components in soybean. Indian J. Agric Sci. 44:487-490.
  11. 11.Singh, B.B., S.C.Gupta and B.D.Singh. 1974. Sources of field resistance to rust and yellow mosaic diseases of soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 34:400-404
  12. 12.Singh, B.B., S.C. Gupta and B.D. Singh 1974. Induced male sterile mutants in soybean. Soybean Genetics News letter 1: 19-20.
  13. 13.Singh, B.B., B.D. Singh and S.C. Gupta 1974. 'P.I. 171443' and G. formosana resistant sources for yellow mosaic. Soybean Genetics News Letter 1: 17-18.
  14. 14.Singh, B.B., S.C. Gupta and B.D. 1974. An induced crinkled leaf mutant in soybean. Soybean Genetics New Letter 1: 16-17.
  15. 15.Singh, B.B., B.D. Singh and S.C. Gupta 1974. Vegetable Type Soybean - a rich source of protein. Ind. Farmers's Dig. VII. 47-48.
  16. 16.Patil, A.B. and B.B. Singh 1975. Cytological abnormalities associated with male sterility in soybean. Soybean Genet. News Letter 2: 12-13.
  17. 17.Singh, B.B. amd M.C. Saxema 1975. Soybean varieties for different Agro-climatic zones in India. Seed Tech. News 5: 5-7.
  18. 18.Singh, B.B. 1975. High yielding varieties of soybean. Ind. Farmer's Dig. VIII. 39-40.
  19. 19.Patil, A.B. and B.B. Singh 1976. Male sterility in soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 36: 238-243.
  20. 20.Singh, B.B. 1976. Breeding soybean varieties for the tropics. In R.M. Goodman (Ed.) Expanding the uses of soybean. p. 11-17. INTSOY, Univ. of IIIinois, Urbana, U.S.A.
  21. 21.Singh, B.B. 1976. Conventional breeding methods in soybean. In Hill. L.D. (ed.) World Soybean Research. Interstate Publishers Inc. IIIinois p. 222-229.
  22. 22.Singh, B.B. and A.N. Jha 1977. Induced floral abnormality in soybean. Soybean Genet. News Letter 4:20.
  23. 23.Malik, S.S. and B.B. Singh 1977. Isozymic variations in Black and yellow seeded isogenic lines of Bragg soybean. Soybean Genet. News Letter 4: 21
  24. 24.Singh, B.B. 1977. Inheritance of resistance to soybean rust. Soybean Rust News Letter 1: 17.
  25. 25.Singh, B.B. 1977. Breeding for resistance to soybean rust in India Soybean Rust Letter 1: (13-16).
  26. 26.Jha, A.N. and B.B. Singh 1978. Additional sterile and male sterile mutants in soybean. Soybean Genetics News Letter 5: 30.
  27. 27.Jain, K.C. and B.B. Singh 1978. Effect of leaf type, pubescenece type and non-nodulating genes on yield and other quantitative characters in soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 38 (1):67-70.
  28. 28.B.B. Singh 1978. Biochemical changes in soybean seeds during storage. Pantnagar J. Research. 3 (1): 4-7
  29. 29.Mailk, S.S., and B.B. Singh 1978. Biochemical differences in black and yellow seeded isogenic lines of soybean. Pantnagar J. Research 3 (1): 129-130
  30. 30.Singh, B.B. and A.N. Jha 1978. A delayed albino mutant in soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 38 (2): 228-230.
  31. 31.Singh, B.B. and A.S. Malik 1978. Inheritance of reistance to yellow mosaic in soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 38 (2): 258-261.
  32. 32.Singh, B.B. and A.N. Jha 1978. Abnormal differentation of floral parts in a mutant strain of soybean. J. Heredity 69: 143-144.
  33. 33.Upadhyaya, H.D. and B.B. Singh 1979. Induced genetic variability in yield and other quantitative characters in soybean. Ind. J. Genet 39 (2): 207-209.
  34. 34.Singh, B.B. and M.C. Saxena 1979. Soybean production in India. Ind. Farming 1979.
  35. 35.Upadhyaya, H.D. and B.B. Singh 1980. Induced variability for qualitative characters in soybean. Pantnagar J. Res. 5:
  36. 36.Singh, B.B. 1980. A miniature mutant of cowpea. Tropical Grain Legume Bull. 21: 13-14.
  37. 37.Singh, B.B. and P.J. Merrett, 1980. Leaf Miner- a new pest of Cowpea. Tropical Grain Legume Bull 21: 15-17.
  38. 38.Singh, B.B. 1981. Wild cowpeas of Tanzania. Tropical grain Legume Bull. 22: 10-14.
  39. 39.Singh, B.B. and J.K. Milgo, 1981. Free nodulation of local soybean lines in Tanzania. Tropical Grain Legume Bull. 22: 10-14.
  40. 40.Singh, B.B. and J.K. Milgo, 1981. Yield stability of newly developed cowpea breeding lines in Tanzania. Crop Res. Bull. (1): 1-4.
  41. 41.Singh, B.B. and J.K. Milgo, 1981. 'TK-1' and 'TK-5'- New varieties of cowpea for Tanzania. Trop. Grain Legume Bull. 2: 14-15.
  42. 42.Chauhan, V.S. and B.B. Singh. 1982. Heterosis and genetic variability in relation to genetic divergence in soybean. Indian J. Genet. 42:324-328.
  43. 43.Shahi, J.P., M.P. Pandey and B.B. Singh 1982. Note on the softening of seeds with varying periods of storage in soybean. Tropical Grain Legume Bull 26: 19-21.
  44. 44.Singh, B.B. 1982. 'Hope' and 'Pride' cowpea varieties for release to Tanzania Farmers. IITA Research Briefs 3: 6-7.
  45. 45.Singh, B.B., J.K. Milgo, E.T. Marenge and J.A. Ibrahim 1982. Sources of resistance to Phytophthora stem rot in cowpea. Tropical grain Legume Bull. 25: 17-20.
  46. 46.Malick, J.S. and B.B. Singh 1982. Note on the corrrelations in quantitative characters in an interspecific cross of soybean. Ind J. Agric Science. 52:608-610.
  47. 47.Price, M., B.B. Singh and C. Mamkwe 1983. The role of early maturing cowpea varieties in Tazania. Tropical Grain Legume Bull. 27:8-10.
  48. 48.Chauhan V.S. and B.B. Singh. 1983. Genetic analysis of protein and oil content in soybean. Indian J. of Agricultural Sciences. 53: 634-637.
  49. 49.Singh, S.R., B.B. Singh, L.E.N. Jackai and Ntare 1983. Cowpea Research at IITA. IITA information series no. 14.
  50. 50.Ntare, B.R., R.J. Redden and B.B. Singh 1984. Evaluation of early generation selection procedures for yield in cowpea. Field Crops Res. 9:91-100.
  51. 51.Ntare, B.R., M.E. Aken'ova, R.J. Redden and B.B. Singh 1984. The effectiveness of early generation testing and single seed descent procedures in two cowpea crosses. Euphytica 33: 539-548.
  52. 52.Chauhan, V.S. and B.B. Singh 1984. Genetic variability and heritability in soybean. Ind. J. Agric. Science 54:273-276.
  53. 53.Singh, B.B. 1984. Recent research advances at IITA relevant to SADCC research programmes and agriculture of the semi-arid tropics. In proceeding of the SADCC Agric. Conf. p. 88-99. Botswana.
  54. 54.Singh, B.B., S.R. Singh and L.E.N. Jackai 1984. Cowpea breeding for disease and insect resistance. In breeding for durable disease and pest resistance. FAO Plant Prod. and Protection Paper No. 55: 139-152.
  55. 55.Singh, B.B., S.R. Singh, L.E.N. Jackai and S.A. Shoyinka 1985. General guide for cowpea cultivation and seed production. IITA Information Series.
  56. 56.Singh, B.B. and R.K. Pandey 1985. Breeding cowpea varieties for rice based cropping system. Proceedings of the 'Workshop on Varietal Improvement for Rice-Based Farming System' held at Pitsunaloke, Thailand. March 11-15, 1985.
  57. 57.B.B. Singh, S.R. Singh and O. Adjadi 1985. Bruchid resistance in cowpea. Crop Sci. 25: 736-739.
  58. 58.Adjadi, O., B.B. Singh and S.R. Singh 1985. Inheritance of bruchid resistance in cowpea. Crop. Sci. 25: 740-742.
  59. 59.Singh, B.B. 1985. Cowpea Improvement at IITA. Paper presented at the 'World Bank Seminar' held at IITA, Ibadan Nigeria. June 24-28, 1985.
  60. 60.Singh, B.B. and B.R. Ntare 1985. Development of improved cowpea varieties in Africa. In Singh and Rachie (Eds.) Cowpea Research, Production and Utilization pp. 105-116.
  61. 61.Bata, H.D., B.B. Singh, S.R. Singh and T.A.O. Ladeinde 1987. Inheritance of resistance to aphid in cowpea. Crop Sci. 27: 892-894.
  62. 62.Singh, B.B. 1987. '60-day cowpea varieties for Asian Farming Systems. In Wallis and Byth (Eds.) Food legume Improvement for Asian Farming Systems. ACIAR Proceedings No. 18 pp. 223.
  63. 63.Singh, B.B. and D.M. Mukunya 1987. Breeding for resistance to drought, insect pests and diseases in crops for the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya. FAO-KEN/81/011 Consultant Report
  64. 64.Fatokun, C.A. and B.B. Singh 1987. Interspecific hybridization between Vigna pubescens and V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. through embryo rescue. Plant cell, tissue and organ culture 9: 229-233.
  65. 65.Omueti, O. and B.B. Singh 1987. Nutritional attributes of improved varieties of cowpea, (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Human Nutrition: Food Sciences and Nutrition 41F: 103-112.
  66. 66.Malik, S.K. and B.B. Singh 1987. Genetic variability and heritability in interspecific crosses of soybean. Ind. J. Agric. Sci. 57: 122-124.
  67. 67.Abadassi, J.A., B.B. Singh, T.A.O. Ladeinde, S.A. Shoyinka and A.M. Emechebe. 1987. Inheritance of resistance to brown blotch, Septoria leaf spot and scab in cowpea. Ind. J. Genetics 47 (3): 299-303.
  68. 68.Singh, B.B. 1987. Soybean research and development in India. In S.R. Singh et al (Eds.). Soybean for the tropics John Wiley and Sons p. 111-118.
  69. 69.Singh, B.B. 1987. Breeding cowpea varieties for drought escape. In (Menyonga et al (eds.) Food Grain Production in Semi-Arid Africa. OUA/STRC-SAFGRAD. p. 299-306.
  70. 70.Aud-Dapaah, H., B.B. Singh, H.R. Chedda and C.A. Fatokun. 1988. Heterosis and inbreeding depression in cowpea. Tropical Grain Legume Bull. 35: 23-27.
  71. 71.Paul, C.P., B.B. Singh and C.A. Fatokun. 1988. Performance of dual purpose cowpea varieties. Tropical Grain Legume Bull. 35: 28-31.
  72. 72.Baker, T. A., S.S. Nielsen, R.E. Shade and B.B. Singh, 1989. Physical and chemical attributes of cowpea lines resistant and susceptible to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). J. Stored Prod. Res. 25: 1-8.
  73. 73.Akubdabweni, L.S., C. Peter-Paul, and B.B. Singh 1989. Evaluation of elite lines of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for leaf/fodder plus grain (i.e. dual purpose). Trop. Agric. 67: (2): 133-136.
  74. 74.Singh, B.B. and A.M. Emechebe 1990. Genetics of Striga resistance in cowpea genotype B 301. Crop Sci. 30: 879-881.
  75. 75.Piergiovanni, A.R., C.D. Gatta, Q. Ng, B.B. Singh, S.R. Singh and P. Perrino. 1990. Fatty acid composition and insect resistance in Vigna unguiculata seeds. J. Sci. Food Agric. 52: 47-53.
  76. 76.Singh, B.B. and S.R. Singh 1990. Breeding for bruchid resistance in cowpea. In K. Fujii, A.M.R. Gatehouse, C.D. Johbson, R. Mitchel and T. Yoshida (Eds.). Bruchids and Legumes: Economics, Ecology and Co evolution. 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands. p. 219-228.
  77. 77.Malick S.S. and B.B. Singh. 1991. Genetic studies of flowering and maturity in interspecific crosses of soybean. Ind. J. Genet. 51: 349-351.
  78. 78.Singh, B.B. and A.M. Emechebe. 1991. Breeding for resistance to Striga and Alectra in cowpea. In Ranson J.K., L.J. Musselman, A.D. Worsham and C. Parker (Eds.). Proceedings of Fifth International Symposium on Parasitic Weeds, Nairobi June 24-30, '91 p. 303-305.
  79. 79.Emechebe, A.M. Singh, B.B., Leleji, O.I., Atokple, I.D.K. and Adu, J.K. 1991. Cowpea Striga problems and Research in Nigeria p. 18-28. In: Kim S.K. (ed). Combating Striga in Africa. Proceeding of the International workshop organised by IITA, ICRISAT, and IDRC 22-24, Aug. 1988. IITA, Ibadan.
  80. 80.Singh, B.B., 1992. Host plant resistance: polygenes vs major gene -pragmatism should lead the way. IITA Res. (5): 21.
  81. 81.Blade, S.F.; D.E. Mather , B.B. Singh, and D.L. Smith 1992. Evaluation of yield stability of cowpea under sole and intercrop management in Nigeria. Euphytica 61: 193-201.
  82. 82.Singh, B.B.; A.M. Emechebe and I.D.K. Atokple 1993. Inheritance of Alectra resistance in cowpea genotype B 301. Crop. Sci. 33: 70-72.
  83. 83.Atokple, I.D.K., B.B. Singh and A.M. Emechebe 1993. Independent inheritance of Striga and Alectra resistance in cowpea genotype B 301. Crop Sci. 33: 714-715.
  84. 84.Atokple, I.D.K., B.B. Singh and A.M. Emechebe 1993. Independent inheritance of Striga and Alectra resistance in cowpea genotype B 301. Crop. Sci. 33: 714-715.
  85. 85.Nelsen, S.S., W.E. Brandt and B.B. Singh 1993. Genetic variability for nutritional composition and cooking time of improved cowpea lines Crop. Sci. 33: 469-472.
  86. 86.Agyemang,K.,D.A.Little, and B.B.Singh. 1993. Emerging evidence of highly integrated crop/livestock system in northern Nigeria: A case study of Kano State. Cattle Research News Letter. 12:7
  87. 87.Lane, J.A. Moore, I.H.M., Child, D.V. Cardwell, K.F., Singh, B.B. Singh Bailey, J.A. 1994. Virulence characteristics of a new race of the parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides, from southern Benin of on cowpea, (Vigna unguiculata). Euphytica 72 (3): 183-188.
  88. 88.Singh B.B., 1994. Breeding suitable cowpea varieties for West and Central African savanna. p. 77-85. In: Menyonga J.M., T. B. Bezuneh, J.Y. Yayock and I. Soumana (Eds.) Progress in Food Grain Research and Production in Semi-Arid ZAfrica. OAU/STRC-SAFGRAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
  89. 89.Emechebe, A.M. and B.B. Singh 1994. Interactions between some cowpea lines and two parasitic higher plants, Striga gesnerioides and Alectra vogelii. p. 479-485. In: Menyonga J.M., T. B. Bezunch, J.Y. Yayock and I. Soumana (Eds.) Progress in Food Grain Research and Production in Semi-Arid Africa. OAU/STRC-SAFGRAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
  90. 90.Singh B.B. 1994. Collection and utilization of germplasm of cowpea resistant to Striga and Alectra. Proceedings of the JIRCAS International Symposium Series No.2. Plant Genetic Resource Management in the Tropics Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences 1994. Tsukuba, Japan, p. 135-143.
  91. 91.Lagoke, S.T., J.Y., Shebayan, G. Weber, O. Olufajo, K. Elemo, J.K. Adu, A.M. Emechebe, B.B. Singh, A. Zaria, A. Awad, L. Ngawa, G.O. Olaniyan, S.O. Olarfare and A.A. Adeoji 1994. Survey of Striga problem and evaluation of Striga control method and packages in crops in the Nigerian savanna p. 91-120. In Improving Striga Management in Africa. Proceedings of the 2nd General Workshop on the Pan-African Striga control Network (PASCON), 23-29 June 1991. Nairobi, Kenya. FAO/PASCON. Accra, 1994.
  92. 92.Atokple, I.D.K., B.B. Singh and A.M. Emechebe 1995. Genetics of resistance to Striga and Alectra in cowpea. J. Heredity 86:45-49.
  93. 93.Berner, D.K., Kling, J.G. and Singh, B.B. 1995. Striga research and control - a perspective from Africa. Plant Disease 79, 652-660.
  94. 94.Bottenberg, H. and B.B. Singh 1996. Effect of neem leaf extract applied using the broom method on cowpea pests and yield. Intl. J. Pest Management 42:207-209.
  95. 95.Singh, B.B. and B. Sharma, 1996. Restructuring cowpea for higher yield. Indian J. Genet. 56:389-405.
  96. 96.Magani, E.I., S.T. Lagoke, A.M. Emechebe, B.B. Singh and O.O. Olufajo 1996. Reaction of cowpea varieties to Alectra vogelii in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. PASCON Striga Newsletter 6:14.
  97. 97.Singh, B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K.E. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai 1997. Advances in Cowpea Research. Co-publication of IITA and JIRCAS, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  98. 98.Hall, A.E., B.B. Singh and J.D. Ehlers. 1997. Cowpea Breeding. Plant Breeding Reviews 15: 215-274.
  99. 99.Singh, B.B. and A.F. Umar 1997. Spread of neem from Asia to West African Asian Agric – History 1:41-46.
  100. 100.van Ek, G.A., J. Henriet, S.F. Blade and B.B. Singh, 1997. Quantitative assessment of traditional cropping systems in the Sudan savanna of northern Nigeria: II Management and productivity of major cropping systems. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research.14:47-60.
  101. 101.Henriet, J., G.A. van Ek, S.F. Blade and B.B. Singh, 1997. Quantitative assessment of traditional cropping systems in the Sudan savanna of northern Nigeria: III Importance of tress shrubs and secondary crops in the cropping systems. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research.14:61-66.
  102. 102.Henriet J., G.A. van Ek, S.F. Blade and B.B. Singh, 1997. Quantitative assessment of traditional cropping systems in the Sudan savanna of northern Nigeria: I. Rapid survey of prevalent cropping systems. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research.14:37-45.
  103. 103.Singh, B.B. and S.A. Tarawali 1997. Cowpea and its improvement: Key to sustainable mixed crop/livestock farming systems in West Africa. pages 79-100. in: Renard, C. (ed.) Crop Residues in Sustainable Mixed Crop/livestock Farming Systems CAB International in association with ICRISAT and ILRI, Oxon, U.K.
  104. 104.Singh, B.B., O.l Chambliss and B. Sharma 1997. Recent advances in cowpea breeding, pages 30-49. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  105. 105.Fery R.L. and B.B. Singh 1997. Cowpea genetics a regiew of the recent literative pages. 13-29, in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIAT) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  106. 106.Mortimore, M.J., B.B. Singh, F. Harris and S.B. Blade 1997. cowpea in traditional cropping systems pages. 99-113 in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  107. 107.Blade S.F, S.V.R. shetty, T. Terao and B.B. Singh 1997. Recent developments in cowpea cropping systems research pages 114-128. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  108. 108.Terao, T., I. Watanabe, R. Matsunaga, S. Hakoyama and B.B. Singh 1997. Agro-physiological constraints in intercropped cowpea: An analysis, pages 129-140. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  109. 109.Watanabe, I., S. Hakoyama, T. Terao and B.B. Singh 1997. Evaluation methods for drought tolerance in cowpea, pages 141-146. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  110. 110.Singh B.B. and A.M. Emechebe 1997. Advances in research on cowpea Striga and Alectra pages 215-230. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  111. 111.Bottenberg, H. M. Tamo, D. Arodokoun, L.E.N. Jackai and B.B. Singh 1997. Population dynamics and migration of cowpea pests in northern Nigeria: implications for intergrated pest management, pages 271-284. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Publication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  112. 112.Tarawali, S.A., B.B. Singh, M. Peters and S.F. Blade 1997. Cowpea haulms as fodder, pages 313-325. in: Singh B.B., D.R. Mohan Raj, K. Dashiell and L.E.N. Jackai (eds.) 1997. Advances in cowpea research. Copublication of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Japan International Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  113. 113.Ng, N.Q. and B.B. Singh 1997. Cowpea. p. 82-99 in: Fuccillo, D., L. Sears and P. Stapleton (eds). Biodiversity and Trust. Cambridge University Press, U.K.
  114. 114.Emechebe, A.M. and B.B. Singh. 1997. Technology options and research challenges to increase cowpea production under Striga and drought stress in the semi-arid Africa. p. 207-217 in: Bezuneh, T., A.M. Emechebe, J. Sedgo and M. Ouedraogo (ed.) 1997. Technology options for sustainable agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa. OAU/STRC-SAFGRAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
  115. 115.Singh B.B. and S.F. Blade. 1997. Potential of dry season cowpea in West Africa. p. 227-233 in : Bezuneh, T., A.M. Emechebe, J. Sedgo and M. Ouedraogo (ed.) 1997. Technology options for sustainable agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa OAU/STRC-SAFGRAD, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
  116. 116.Singh, B.B., H. Ajeigbe, S.G. Mohammed and A.J.G. van Gastel 1997. Farmer to farmer diffusion of cowpea seed in northern Nigeria. P. 180-187, in: Rohrbach, D.D., Z. Bishaw and S.J.G. van Gastel (eds.) 1997. Alternative stragegies for small holder seed supply ICRISAT, India
  117. 117.Tarawali, S.A., B.B. Singh, S. Farnandez-Rivera and M. Peters, J.W. Smith, R. Schutze-Kraft and H.A. Ajeigbe 1997. Optimizing the contribution of cowpea to food and fodder production in crop livestock systems in West Africa. pages 53-54, In the Proceeding of International Grassland Congress Canada, June, 1977.
  118. 118.Singh, B.B., I.D.K. Atokple and A.M. Emechebe 1997. Controlling Striga and Alectra on cowpea by host plant resistance. pp. 32-35, in: Lagoke, S.T.O., L.E. van der Straten and S.S. M'Boob (eds). 1997. Integrated Management of Striga for he African Farmers, Proceedings, 3rd General Workshop of the Pan-African Striga Control Network (PASCON), 18-23 October 1993, Harare Zimbabwe. 157 pp. Accra (Ghana): FAO.
  119. 119.Lagoke, S.T.O., J.Y. Shebayan, I. Magani, P. Olorunju, O.O. Olufajo, K.A. Elemo, I. Uvah, a.A. Adeoti, P.S. Chindo, I. Kureh, S. Jatau, A.M. Emechebe, W. B. Ndahi, S.K. Kim, G. Weber, B.B. Singh, C. Odion, and A. Avan 1997. Striga problem and development of appropriate control technologies in various crops in Nigeria. pp. 89-100, in: Lagoke, S.T.O., L.E. van der Straten and S.S. M'Boob (eds). 1997. Integrated Management of Striga for he African Farmers, Proceedings, 3rd General Workshop of the Pan-African Striga Control Network (PASCON), 18-23 October 1993, Harare Zimbabwe. 157 pp. Accra (Ghana): FAO.
  120. 120.Singh, B.B., and Emechebe, A.M. 1998. Increasing productivity of millet-cowpea intercropping systems. Pages 68-75 in: pearl millet in Nigeria agriculture: production, utilization and research priorities. Proceedings of the Pre-season Planning Meeting for the Nationally Coordinated Research Programme for Pearl Millet, Maiduguri, 21-24 April 1997. [Emechebe, A.M., Ikwelle, M.C., Ajayi, O., Aminu Kano, M., and Anaso, A.B. eds.]. Lake Chad Research Institute, P.M.B. 1239, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
  121. 121.Allen, D.J., G. Thottappilly, A.M. Emechebe and B.B. Singh 1998. Diseases of cowpea. p. 267-324 in: Allen, D.J. and J.M. Lene (eds.). The pathology of food and pasture legumes. CAB Intl. Wallingford, U.K.
  122. 122.Singh, B.B. and H.K. Adu-Dapaah 1998. A partial male sterile mutant in cowpea. African Crop Science Journal 6:97-101.
  123. 123.Bottenberg,H., M. Tamo and B.B.Singh 1998. Occurrence of phytophagous insects on wild Vigna sp. and cultivated cowpea: comparing the relative importance of host-plant resistance and millet intercropping. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 70:217-229
  124. 124.Okosun, L.A., M.E. Aken’ova and B.B. Singh 1998.. Screening for drought tolerance at seedling stage in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. II. Selecting for root length and recovery ability traits. Journal of Arid Agriculture 8, 11-20.
  125. 125.Okosun, L.A., M.E. Aken’ova and B.B. Singh 1998. Screening for drought tolerance at seedling stage in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp I. The significance of the trait permanent wilting percentage. Journal of Arid Agriculture 8, 1-10
  126. 126.Singh, B.B., Y. Mai-Kodomi and T. Terao. 1999. A simple screening method for drought tolerance in cowpea. Indian J. Genet., 59: 211-220.
  127. 127.Singh, B.B. and K. Dashiell 1999.Cowpea and soybean seed production. P141-150 . in: Aliyu, A.A. Joshua and P.O. Oyekan (eds.).Seed Technology. NARP, Federal Ministry of Agric., Abuja ,Nigeria.
  128. 128.Inaizumi, H., B.B.Singh, P.C.Sanginga, V.M.Manyong, A.A.Adesina and S. Tarawali. 1999. Adoption and Impact of dry season dual purpose cowpea in the semi-arid zone of northern Nigeria. IITA. Impact Series.14 pp, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  129. 129.Mai-Kodomi, Y., B.B. Singh, O. Myers, Jr., J. H. Yopp, P.J. Gibson and T. Terao. 1999. Two mechanisms of drought tolerance in cowpea. Indian J. Genet., 59: 309-316.
  130. 130.Mai-Kodomi, Y., B.B. Singh, T. Terao, O. Myers Jr., J.H. Yopp and P.J. Gibson. 1999. Inheritance of drought tolerance in cowpea, Indian J. Genet., 59: 317-332.
  131. 131.Singh, B.B,, Y. Mai-Kodomi and T. Terao. 1999. Relative drought tolerance of major rainfed crops of the semi-arid tropics. Indian J. Genet., 59:1-8.
  132. 132.Singh, B.B. and K. Dashiell 1999.Cowpea and soybean seed production. P141-150 . in: Aliyu, A.A. Joshua and P.O. Oyekan (eds.).Seed Technology. NARP, Federal Ministry of Agric., Abuja ,Nigeria.
  133. 133.Blhahut, G.R. and B.B. Singh 1999. Achishiru cowpeas in Central Nigeria. I. Origin, diversity and production practices. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research 15:21-28.
  134. 134.Singh, B.B,. and G.R. Blahut. 1999. Achishiru cowpeas in central Nigeria II. Evaluation of improved breeding lines at different locations. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research. 15:29-33.
  135. 135.Adu-Dapaah, H.K.,B.B. Singh and C.Fatokun 1999. A fascinated mutant in cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Acta-Agronomica- Hungarica 47:371-376
  136. 136.Kolawale, G.O., G. Tian and B.B. Singh. 2000. Differential response of cowpea varieties to Aluminum and phosphorus application . Journal of Plant Nutrition .23:731-740
  137. 137.Sanginga, N., O. Lyasse and B.B. Singh. 2000. Phosphorus use efficiency and nitrogen balance of cowpea breeding lines in a low P soil of the derived savanna zone in West Africa. Plant and Soil 220:119-128
  138. 138.Singh, B.B. and M.F.Ishiaku.2000. Genetics of rough seed coat texture in cowpea. Journal of Heredity.91:170-174.
  139. 139.van Boxtel,J., B.B. Singh, G .Thottappilly and A.J.Maule.2000. Resistance of (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) breeding lines to blackeye cowpea mosaic and cowpea aphid borne mosaic poty virus isolates under experimental conditions. Journal of Plant Disease and Protection. 107: 197-204.
  140. 140.Singh,B.B..2000. Successful farmer to farmer diffusion of improved cowpea seeds in northern Nigeria .The Newsletter of West Africa Seed Network. 5:20
  141. 141.Singh, B.B. 2000. Breeding cowpea varities with combined resistance to different strains of Striga gesnerioides . pages 261-270, In: B.I.G. Haussman, D.E. Hess, M.L. Koyama, L Grivet, H.F.W. Rattunde and H.H. Geiger (eds.),2000. Breeding for Striga Resistance in Cereals. Proceedings of a workshop held at I.I resistance to T.A., Ibadan, Nigeria from Aug.18-20,1999. Margraf Verlag, Weikersheim, Germany.
  142. 142.Singh, B.B. 2000. Breeding cowpea varieties for wide adaptation by minimizing genotype x environment interactions. pages 173-181 in Ekanayake, I.J. and R. Ortiz (eds.).Genotype x environment interactions analysis of IITA mandate crops in sub-Saharan Africa. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  143. 143.Mustapha, O.T., S.G. Mohammed and B.B. Singh. 2000. Inheritance of resistance to root-knot nematode in cowpea(Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Biosience Research Communications 12:287-290
  144. 144.Mohammed, S.G., B.B.Singh and O.T.Mustapha. 2000. An evaluation of variation for root-knot nematode resistance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Nigerian Journal of Botany 13: 31-37
  145. 145.Kushwaha, S., S.A.Musa, B.B.Singh and J. Lowenberg-Deboer. 2000. Problems mitigating against effective cowpea marketing in Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research 50: 201-210
  146. 146.Ishiyaku, M.F. and B.B. Singh. 2001. Inheritance of shortday induced dwarfing in photosensitive cowpeas. African Crop Science Journal 9:1-8
  147. 147.Carsky, R.J., B.B. Singh and B. Oyewole. 2001. Contribution of early season cowpea to late season maize in the savanna zone of West Africa. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture 18:303-316
  148. 148.Ajeigbe,H.A.,S.G.Mohammed, B.B.Singh and S.A.Tarawali.2001. Crop- Livestock integration for sustainable agricultural production in sub-Saharan Africa- A prognosis. Journal of Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Research. 1:1-9
  149. 149.Kristjanson, P., I. Okike, S.T.Tarawali and B.B.Singh. 2001.Adoption and impact of improved cowpea on food and feed and livelihoods in African dry savanna zone. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 59:79-98
  150. 150.Cheng-Dao, Li., C.A. Fatokun, B. Ubi, B.B. Singh and G.J.Scoles.2001. Determining genetic similarities and relationships among cowpea breeding lines and cultivars by microsatellite markers. Crop Science 41:189-197
  151. 151.Singh, B.B., and H.A. Ajeigbe. 2001. Breeding improved cowpea varieties for different cropping systems and agro-ecologies in West Africa. African Crop Science Proceedings 5: 35-41
  152. 152.Singh, B.B. 2001. Genetic variability for physical properties of cowpea seeds and their effect on cooking quality. African Crop Science Proceedings 5: 43-46
  153. 153.Singh, B.B. 2001. Genetic variability for drought tolerance, heat tolerance and root architecture in cowpea. African Crop Science Proceedings 5: 47-50
  154. 154.Kristjanson, P., S. Tarawali, I. Okike, B.B.singh, P.K.Thornton, V.M. Manyong, K.Kruska and G. Hoogenboom. 2002. Genetically improved dual-purpose cowpea. ILRI Impact Assessment Series N0.9, Sept.2002. ILRI/IITA Joint Publication. ILRI,Nairobi, Kenya. .
  155. 155.Kristjanson, P., I.Okike, S.A.Tarawali, R. Kruska, V.M.Manyong and B.B.Singh. 2002. Evaluating adoption of new crop-livestock-soil management technologies using georeferenced village-level data : The case of cowpea in the dry savannas of West Africa. Pages 169-180. In Barrett, C.B., F. Place and A.A. Aboud (eds.). Natural Resources Management in African Agriculture. CAB International 2002
  156. 156.Singh, B.B. 2002. Recent genetic studies in cowpea. Pages 3-13. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  157. 157.Singh, B.B., J.D. Ehlers, B. Sharma and F.R. Freire-Filho.2002. Recent progress in cowpea breeding. Pages 22-40. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  158. 158.Singh, B.B. 2002. Breeding cowpea varieties for resistance to Striga gesnerioides and Alectra vogelii. Pages 154-166. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  159. 159.Tarawali, S.A., B.B. Singh, S.C. Gupta, R. Tabo, F. Harris, S. Nokoe, S. Fernandez Rivera, A. Bationo, V.M. Manyong, and E.C. Odion 2002. Cowpea as a key factor for a new approach to integrated crop-livestock system research in the dry savannas of West Africa. Pages 233-251. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  160. 160.Olufajo O.O., and B.B. Singh. 2002. Advances in cowpea cropping systems research. Pages 267-277. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  161. 161.Singh, B.B. and H.A. Ajeigbe. 2002. Improving cowpea-cereals-based cropping systems in the dry savannas of West Africa. Pages 278-286. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  162. 162.Singh, B.B. and T. Matsui 2002. Breeding cowpea varieties for drought tolerance. Pages 287-300. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  163. 163.Kolawole, G.O., G. Tian and B.B. Singh 2002. Differential response of cowpea lines to P fertilizer. Pges319-328. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  164. 164.Okike, I., P. Kristjanson, S. Tarawali, B.B. Singh, R. Kruska and V.M. Manyong 2002. Potential adoption and diffusion of improved dual-purpose cowpea in the dry savannas of Nigeria: an evaluation using a combination of participatory and structured approaches. Pages 387-406. In Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M. Tamo (editors).2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  165. 165.Ortiz, R., I.J.Ekanayake, V. Mahalakshmi, A. Kamara, A. Menkir, S.N.Nigam, B.B.Singh and N.P.Saxena. 2002. Development of drought resistant and water-stressed tolerant crops through traditional breeding. Pages-11-21. in Yajima,M., K. Okada and N. Matsumoto (eds.). Water for sustainable agriculture in developing regions-more crop for every scarce drop. Proceedings of the 8th JIRCAS Intl. Symposium, Sukuba, 27-28 Nov. 2001. JIRCAS Series no.10. Japan.
  166. 166.Fatokun, C.A., S.A.Tarawali, B.B.Singh, P.M.Kormawa and M.Tamo (editors). 2002. Challenges and opportunities for enhancing sustainable cowpea production. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
  167. 167.Yilwa, V.M., O.P.Ifenkwe and B.B.Singh. 2002. Genetic association between plant pigmentation and flower color in cowpea. Nigerian Journal of Botany 15:57-61
  168. 168.Matsui, T. and B. B .Singh. 2003. Root characteristics in cowpea related to drought tolerance in seedling stage. Experimental Agriculture 39:1-10
  169. 169.Elawad, H.A.O. and B. B. Singh. 2003. Registration of Dahab Elgoz cowpea. Crop Science. 43: 1880
  170. 170.Singh, B. B., H.A.Ajeigbe, S.A. Tarawali, S. Fernandez-Rivera and Musa Abubakar. 2003. Improving the production and utilization of cowpea as food and fodder. Field Crops Research 84:169-177
  171. 171.Singh, B.B., P. Hartmann, C.Fatokun, M.Tamo, S.a.Tarawali and R.Ortiz. 2003. Recent progress in cowpea improvement. Chronica Horticulturae 43:8-12
  172. 172.Carsky, R.J., C.Akakpo, B.B.Singh and J. Detongnon. 2003. Cowpea yield gain from resistance to Striga gesnerioides parasitism in southern Benin. Experimental Agriculture 39: 327-333
  173. 173.Sanginga, N., K.E.Dashiell, J.Diels, B.Vanalue, O.Lyasse, R.J.Carsky, S.Tarawali, B.Asafo-Adjei, A.Menkir, S.Schulz, B.B.Singh, D.Chikoye, D.Keatinge, and R.Ortiz. 2003. Sustainable resource management coupled to resilient germplasm to provide new intensive cereal-grain legume-livestock systems in the dry savanna. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment 100:305-314.
  174. 174.Ishiyaku, M.F. and B.B.Singh 2003. Genetics of juvenile phase in cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment 1: 133-136
  175. 175.Ishiyaku, M.F. and B.B.Singh. 2004. Inheritance of purple pigmentation on vegetative parts in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Scientia Horticulturae 102: 369-373
  176. 176.Ishiyaku, M.F. and B.B.Singh. 2004. Genetic studies and transgressive segregation for large seeds in cowpea. MAURIK Bulletin 6: 10-14
  177. 177.Boukar, O., L. Kong, B.B. Singh, L. Murdock, and H.W. Ohm. 2004. AFLP and AFLP-derived SCAR markers associated with Striga gesnerioides resistance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculat (L.) Walp.). Crop Science 44: 1259-1264
  178. 178.Yilwa, V.M., O.P.Ifenkwe and B.B.Singh. 2004. Genetic association of flower colour and pod-pigmentation in cowpea. Nigerian Journal of Experimental and Applied Biology. 5:91-95
  179. 179.Yilwa, V.M., O.P.Ifenkwe and B.B.Singh. 2004. Inheritance of purple colour pigmentation in cowpea flowers. Nigerian Journal of Botany 17:119-127
  180. 180.Singh, B.B., F.Hakizimana, R. Ortiz and E.A.Kueneman. 2004. Soybean production and utilization in Africa. Pages 56-70. In F.Moscardi, C.B.H-Campo, O.F.Saraiva, P.R.Galerani,F.C.Krzyzanowsky, and M.C.C-Panizzi (eds.). VII World Soybean Conference Proceedings, Feb.29-March 5, 2004, Foz du Iguassu, PR, EMBRAPA, Brazil,
  181. 181.Singh, B.B., H.A.Ajeigbe, C.Endondo, I.B.Mohammed and O.O.Olufajo. 2004. An improved planting pattern for cowpea-based intercrops in West Africa. Pages 67-68. In Proceedings of 5th European Conference on Grain Legumes and 2nd International Conference on Legume Genomics and Genetics held at Dijon, France, June 7-11, 2004. European Association for Grain Legume Research (AEP), Paris, France.
  182. 182.Singh, B.B. 2004. Recent advances in cowpea genetics and breeding. Page 124. In Conference Handbook, 5th European Conference on Grain Legumes, held at Dijon, France, June 7-11, 2004. European Association for Grain Legume Research (AEP), Paris, France.
  183. 183.Singh, B.B. 2004. Cowpea research, production and utilization: a global view. Page 370. In Conference Handbook, 5th European Conference on Grain Legumes, held at Dijon, France, June 7-11, 2004. European Association for Grain Legume Research (AEP), Paris, France.
  184. 184.Kormawa, P.M., C.I. Ezedinma and B.B. Singh. 2004. Factors influencing farmer-to-farmer transfer of an improved cowpea variety in kano State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics 105: 1-13
  185. 185.Kristjanson, P., I. Okike, S. Tarawali, B.B.Singh and V.M.Manyong. 2004. Farmers’ perceptions of benefits and factors affecting the adoption of improved dual-purpose cowpea in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Agricultural Economics. 32: 195-210
  186. 186.Singh, B.B., A. Larbi, R.Tabo and A.G.O.Dixon. 2004. Trends in development of crop varieties for improved crop-livestock systems in West Africa. Pages 371-388. In: Williams T.O., S.A.Tarawali, P.Hierneux and S. Fernandez-Rivera (eds.), Sustainable crop-livestock production for improved livelihoods and natural resource management in West Africa. Proc. of Intl. Conference, held at IITA, Ibadan, Nov.19-21, 2001. Published by ILRI, Nairobi and CTA, The Netherlands. 2004
  187. 187.Mukhtar, F.B. and B.B.Singh. 2004. Growth response of photoperiod- sensitive and photoperiod-insensitive cowpea varieties to plant growth regulators treatments. Biological and Environmental J. for the Tropics. 1:79-86
  188. 188.Asafo-Adjei, B. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Registration of ‘Ayiyi’ cowpea. Crop Science .: 45 : 2650-2651
  189. 189.Asafo-Adjei, B. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Registration of ‘Bengpla’ cowpea. Crop Science .: 45 : 2649-2650
  190. 190.Asafo-Adjei, B. and B.B.Singh and G. Atuahen-Amankwa. 2005. Registration of ‘Asontem’ cowpea. Crop Science .: 45 : 2649
  191. 191.Toure, M.A. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Registration of ‘Korobalen’ cowpea. Crop Science .: 45 : 2648-2649
  192. 192.Toure, M.A. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Registration of ‘Sangaraka’ cowpea. Crop Science .: 45 : 2648
  193. 193.Ishiyaku, M.F. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Inheritance of time to flowering in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Euphytica 142 (3): 291-300.
  194. 194.Singh, B.B. 2005. Breeding a range of cowpea varieties for different cropping systems and use patterns in the tropics: an overview. Proceedings of the 4th World Cowpea Conference, held on April 17-22, 2005, at Durban, South Africa.
  195. 195.Singh, B.B., H.A.Ajeigbe, I.Ezeaku and I.B.Mohammad. 2005. Improved cowpea-based cropping systems for sustainable increase in food production and income generation in West Africa. Proceedings of the 4th World Cowpea Conference, held on April 17-22, 2005, at Durban, South Africa.
  196. 196.Mukhtar, F.B. and B.B.Singh. 2005. Influence of photoperiod on growth, flowering and yield of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ( L.) Walp.). Biological and Environmental J. for the Tropics. 1:135-140
  197. 197.Singh, B.B. 2005. Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Pages 117-162. In Singh, R.J. and P.P.Jauhar (editors). Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering and Crop Improvement. Volume 1. 2005. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
  198. 198.Aliyu, B.S., A.M. Emechebe, and B.B. Singh. 2005. The cultural control of Striga hermonthica on pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum) through inter-row and intra-row intercropping with cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata). South Eastern Biology 52: 160
  199. 199.Ajeigbe, H. A., B.B.Singh and E. Makeri. 2005. Cowpea as a multi purpose crop in Nigeria. Pages 65-68. In Olarewaju, J.D., M.D. Alegbejo ansd F.A.Showemimo ( eds.). Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Conference of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria held at Kano, July 4-9, 2004. HORTSON, Ibadan.
  200. 200.Mukhtar, F.B. and B.B. Singh. 2003 (appeared in 2005). Planting season effects on growth, yield and harvest index of photosensitive and photo-insensitive cowpea varieties. Journal of Applied and Pure Science ( Nigeria) 1: 33-38
  201. 201.Tarawali, S.A., I. Okike, P.K. Kristjanson, B.B. Singh and P. Thornton. 2005. Dual purpose cowpea for West Africa. Tropical Grasslands 39: 210
  202. 202.Ajeigbe, H. A., B.B. Singh and T.O. Oseni, 2005. Cowpea-cereal intercrop productivity in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria as affected by planting pattern, crop variety and pest management. African Crop Science Journal13 : 269-279
  203. 203.Singh, B.B. 2005. Till the cowpeas come home. Pages 6-7, In Fredenburg, P.F. ( editor). Scientists of the CGIAR. Published by CGIAR, Washington D.C. 2005 Mishra, SK., Singh, BB., Daya Chand., Meena, KN Sources for high temperature tolerant germplasm in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.). [Book chapter] Arid legumes for sustainable agriculture and trade: volume 1. Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur, India: 2005. 78-80.
  204. 204.Dingkuhn, M., B.B.Singh, B. Clerget, J. Chantereau and B. Sultan. 2006. Past, present and future criteria to breed crops for water-limited environments in West Africa. Agricultural Water Management 80:241-261
  205. 205.Ajeigbe, H.A., T.O.Oseni and B.B.Singh. 2006. Effect of planting pattern, crop variety and insecticide on the productivity of cowpea-cereal systems in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. J. Food, Agriculture & Environment 4: 145- 150
  206. 206.Singh, B.B. 2006. Success of soybean in India : The early challenges and pioneer promoters. Asian Agri-History 10: 43-53
  207. 207.Ewansiha, S.U. and B.B. Singh. 2006. Relative drought tolerance of important herbaceous legumes and cereals in the moist and semi-arid regions of West Africa. J. Food, Agriculture & Environment 4(2): 188-190
  208. 208.Ajeigbe, H.A., S.G.Mohammed and B.B.Singh. 2006. Comparative assessment of yield potentials of improved cowpea breeding lines using performance index and ranking methods. J. Food, Agriculture & Environment 4:95-98
  209. 209.Singh, B.B. 2005. Breeding a range of cowpea varieties for different cropping systems and use pattern in the tropics: an overview. Proceedings of the 1st International Edible Legume Conference in conjunction with the IVth World Cowpea Congress, Durban, South Africa, 17-21 April 2005. pp. 1-10.
  210. 210.Singh, B.B., O.O.Olufajo, M.F.Ishiyaku and R.A.Adeleke, H.A.Ajeigbe and S.G.Mohammed. 2006. Registration of NGVU-05-25 cowpea. Crop Science 46:2708-2079
  211. 211.Mukhtar F.B. and B.B.Singh. 2006. Influence pf photoperiod and gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth and flowering of cowpea [ Vigna unduiculata (L.) Walp.]. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment 4(2): 201-203
  212. 212.Singh, B.B., M.F.Ishiyaku, R.A.Adeleke, H.Ajeigbe and S.G.Mohammed. 2006. Registration of six improved germplasm lines of cowpea with combined resistance to Striga gesnerioides and Alectra vogelii. Crop Science 46:2332-2333
  213. 213.Ajeigbe, H. A., S. G. Mohammed and B. B. Singh, 2006. Comparative assessment of yield potentials of improved cowpea breeding lines using performance index and ranking methods. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. Vol. 4 (3&4):95-98, 2006
  214. 214.Ajeigbe H. A. and B.B. Singh, 2006. Integrated Pest Management in Cowpea: Effect of Time and Frequency of Insecticide Application on Productivity. Crop Protection 25: 920-925
  215. 215.Ajeigbe, H. A., T.O. Oseni, and B.B. Singh, 2006. Effect of planting pattern, crop variety and insecticide on the productivity of cowpea-cereal system in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment Vol. 4:101-107. 2006
  216. 216.Pandey, I.D. and B.B. Singh. 2006. Identification of early maturing grain type cowpea varieties for wheat-cowpea-rice based intensive cropping system. Pantnagar Journal of Research 4: 65-71
  217. 217.Singh, B.B. and H. A. Ajeigbe. 2007. Improved Cowpea-cereals-Based Cropping Systems for Household Food Security and Poverty Reduction in West Africa. In: Kang, M.S. (ed) Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability, Consideration for the Future. pages 157-172,
  218. 218.Abdul-Azeez, A., F.B. Mukhtar, and H.A. Ajeigbe, 2007. Effect of different types and level of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of selected maize varieties: Environmental protection and food security through life sciences. Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology (NISEB), Proceedings of the 5th International Conference/AGm 28th February – 3rd March 2007, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Page 25-26
  219. 219.Pandey, I.D., B.B. Singh and D. Kumar. 2007. Present status and future prospects of cowpea research in India. Journal of Arid Legumes 4: 26-30
  220. 220.Singh, B.B. and H.A. Ajeigbe. 2007. Improved cowpea-cereals-based cropping systems for household food security and poverty reduction in West Africa. Journal of Crop Improvement 19: 157-172
  221. 221.Singh, B.B. and J.A. Mligo. 2007. Registration of ‘Vuli-1’ cowpea. Crop Science 47: 437-438
  222. 222.Singh, B.B. and H. A. Ajeigbe. Improved Cowpea-cereals-Based Cropping Systems for Household Food Security and Poverty Reduction in West Africa. Journal of Crop Improvement. Vol. 19, No.1/2 pages 157-172, 2007
  223. 223.Singh, B.B. and J.A. Mligo. 2006. Registration of ‘Vuli-2’ cowpea. Journal of Plant registrations 1:47
  224. 224.Singh, B.B., O.O.Olufajo, M.F.Ishiyaku and R.A.Adeleke, H.A.Ajeigbe and S.G.Mohammed. 2006. Registration of NGVU-98-21 cowpea.
  225. 225.Singh, B.B., O.O.Olufajo, M.F.Ishiyaku and R.A.Adeleke, H.A.Ajeigbe and S.G.Mohammed. 2007. Registration of ‘NGVU-05-24’ cowpea. Journal of plant Registrations 1:48-49
  226. 226.Pandey, I.D. and B.B.Singh. 2006. Identification of early maturing grain type cowpea varieties for wheat-cowpea-rice based intensive cropping system. Pantnagar J. of Research 4:65-71
  227. 227.Singh, B.B. and H. A. Ajeigbe, 2007. Improved Cowpea-cereals-Based Cropping Systems for Household Food Security and Poverty Reduction in West Africa. Journal of Crop Improvement. Vol. 19, No.1/2 pages 157-172, 2007
  228. 228.Singh, B.B. and H. A. Ajeigbe, 2007. Improved Cowpea-cereals-Based Cropping Systems for Household Food Security and Poverty Reduction in West Africa. In: M.S. Kang (Editor) Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability: considerations for the future. Haworth press Inc. USA. pages 157-172.
  229. 229.H.A. Ajeigbe. T.O.Oseni, B.B.Singh and S.A. Tarawali, 2007. Effect of Different Cowpea-cereal row-row Planting Systems and Insecticide Sprays of Cowpea on the Quality of the Crop Residues. in: K. Z. Ahmed, M.A. Mahamoud, S.I. Shalabi, E.A.El-Morsi and H.A.M. Ismael (editors) African Crop Science Conference Proceedings, El-Minia, Egypt, 27-2-31 October, 2007.  Vol 8 part 2. p 1057-1062.
  230. 230.Adati T, Tamo M, Yusuf SR, Downham MCA, Singh BB, and Hammond W (2008) Integrated pest management for cowpea-cereal cropping systems in the West African savannah. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 27 (3/4): 123-137.
  231. 231.Timko, M.P. and B.B. Singh. 2008. Cowpea, a multifunctional legume. In: Moore , P.H. and Ming, R. (eds), Genomics of Tropical Crop Plants, Springer Science + Business Media, LLC, New York , NY . pp. 227-258.
  232. 232.H. A. Ajeigbe1*, B. B. Singh2 and A. M. Emechebe1 2008. Field evaluation of improved cowpea lines for resistance to bacterial blight, virus and striga under natural infestation in the West African Savannas . African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 7 (20), pp. 3563-3568, 20 October, 2008
  233. 233.Singh, B.B., H.A. Ajeigbe and Y.V.Singh . 2009. Breeding High Yielding Cowpea Varieties with Enhanced Quality and Nutritional Traits pages 39-47 . In Proceedings of the Anais do II CONAC : Congresso Nacional de Feijo-caupi. Held at Belem (PARA), Brazil Aug- 24-28, 2009
  234. 234.Ajeigbe, H.A., B. B. Singh, I. E. Ezeaku and J. O. Adeosun, 2010. On-farm evaluation of improved cowpea-cereals cropping systems for crop- livestock farmers: Cereals-cowpea systems in Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(17), pp. 2297-2304
  235. 235.Singh, Y.V., M.K. Nautiyal, B.B.Singh, Bhawana Pandey and C.L.Sharma. 2010. Performance of short duration cowpea varieties for enhanced pulses production in different seasons under Tarai conditions of Uttarakhand. Pantnagar J. of Research 8:198-201
  236. 236.Singh, B.B., A. Musa, H.A. Ajeigbe, and S.A. Tarawali. 2011. Effect of feeding crop residues of different cereals andlegumes on weight gain of Yankassa rams.International Journal of Livestock Production Vol. 2 (2), pp. 017-023,
  237. 237.Saidou, A.K., R.C. Abaidoo, E.N.O. Iwuafor, N. Sanginga, and B.B. Singh. 2011. Genotypic variation in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) for rock phosphate in low phosphorous soils of dry Sudan and Sahel savannas of Niger and Nigeria, West Africa. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci. 11(1):62-70.
  238. 238.Ajeigbe, H.A., R.S. Adamu and B.B. Singh 2012. Yield performance of cowpea as influenced by insecticide types and their combinations in the dry savannas of Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7(44), pp. 5930 -5938
  239. 239.Singh, B.B., M.P. Timko and F.L. Aragao. 2014. Advances in cowpea improvement and genomics. In: ‘Legumes in the Omic Era’ (eds., S. Gupta, N. Nadarajan and D. S. Gupta). Springer, N.Y., pp. 131-154.
  240. 240.Verbree, D.A., B.B. Singh and W.A. Payne. 2014. Role of gas exchange, leaf water status and carbohydrate partitioning during the early vegetative stage on drought tolerance in cowpea. Crop Science 54: 770-778
  241. 241.Singh, B.B. 2014. Cowpea : the food legume of the 21st century. Crop Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
  242. 242.Verbree, D.A., B.B. Singh and W.A. Payne. 2015. Genetics and heritability of shoot drought tolerance in cowpea. Crop Science 55: 146-153
  243. 243.Singh, B.B., Y. V. Singh, C. L. Sharma and M. K. Nautiyal. 2015. Sixty day cowpea: the best option for increasing pulses production in India. In Souvenir, Foundation Day 2015. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India, pages 5-11.
  244. 244.Singh, B.B. 2016. Genetic enhancement for yield and nutritional quality in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Indian J. Genet., 76(4): 568-582
  245. 245.Singh, B.B. 2018. Breeding improved varieties of cowpea. Pages-215-234. In Sivasankar, Shobha., David Bergvinson, Pooran Gaur, Shiv K. Agrawal, Steve Beebe, and Manuele Tamò (editors). Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Grain Legumes Vol 2. Genetics, breeding, pests and diseases. Published by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Ltd. U.K.

The Scientist

Dr. Bir Bahadur Singh
1944 – 2024

Dr. B.B. Singh spent more than fifty years following cowpea wherever the food security problem was most acute — from the fields of Pantnagar to the research stations of Ibadan, from Tanzania to Brazil. A World Food Prize nominee and AAAS Fellow, he developed more than 40 high-yielding varieties released in 45 countries, and trained a generation of plant breeders across Africa and Asia.

He authored or coauthored 245 scientific publications and wrote Cowpea: The Food Legume of the 21st Century — not as a retrospective, but as a statement about what the crop could still become. In 2023, he received the inaugural Shin Humanitarian Award from the University of Illinois System for his humanitarian impact through agricultural science.

He died in 2024. This archive is part of his legacy.

Full memorial → drbbsingh.com

Why It Matters

The genes are still here

Plant genetics is a long game. A trait bred into a variety in 1985 may not find its most important use until 2085. The resistance genes mapped in these 245 publications — to drought, heat, parasitic weeds, insects, disease — represent decades of selection under real field conditions that cannot easily be recreated. They are irreplaceable data, encoded in living seed.

Nobody knows exactly when or where this work will matter most. That is precisely why the record must be kept.

🌍
Climate Adaptation
As growing zones shift and heat events intensify, crops with documented heat and drought tolerance become critical. Cowpea’s range may expand into areas where it was previously unnecessary.
🚀
Space Agriculture
NASA and ESA are actively researching legumes for long-duration missions. Cowpea’s nitrogen fixation, compact growth, and dual-purpose yield make it one of the most studied candidates. It has already been to space.
🧬
Genetic Insurance
The varieties documented here represent decades of irreplaceable selection under real-world conditions. As genomic tools improve, the traits mapped in these papers will become more accessible, not less relevant.
🌱
Soil Restoration
Nitrogen-fixing crops are central to sustainable intensification — producing more food while reducing chemical inputs. Cowpea’s role in restoring degraded soils has barely begun to be explored at scale.