Cowpea is a dual-purpose protein crop which has a high nutritional value. However, many problems such as cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus limit its production. This study aimed at assessing the resistance of varieties of cowpea to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV). Thus, a complete diallel cross between five cowpea varieties was done in a partially balanced incomplete block plan (alpha design) with three replications. The F1 descendants obtained and their parents were evaluated using five characters. Results obtained reveal that all characters discriminate the parents and F1 descendants. All five parents tested revealed their resistance or susceptibility status to CABMV. The F1 descendants from the cross between local Gorom x KVx640, KVx30-309-6G x KVx396-4-5-2D, KVx61-1 x KVx640, KVx640 x local Gorom and KVx640 x KVx61-1 which have shown a low severity value and a high weight of one hundred seeds are the best. They could be used in Burkina Faso’ cowpea breeding program to develop resistant varieties to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus.

Cowpea, severity, resistance, Virus, Burkina Faso.