The fungus Elsinoe phaseoli is the scab agent and has been causing serious damages to the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), crop, mainly in the rainy period of Ceara State's mountainous areas. The present work aimed to identify genetic resistance sources and to evaluate the disease effects on the yield and its components, the quality of the grain and the crop cycle. To do this, in 1995 and 1996, 16 genotypes were evaluated in two experiments. One at the rainy period as a rain-fed crop and the other at the dry period as a irrigated crop, in a randomized experimental design with four replications in Tianguá County, State of Ceará. Based on statistical analysis and evaluation of the variances, comparing the treatment averages, the correlation and the regression, it was verified that: in the scab susceptible plants both the cycle and the yield are negatively affected by the disease; all evaluated genotypes have variability in relation to the disease reaction; and the EPACE V-96 cultivar performed better and so can be utilized as parental in a breeding program.
