This study was conducted at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, KAU, Kerala, India during the period 2011-2012. The objective of the study was to assess the genetic variability for yield, quality and resistance to collar rot and web blight and elucidating the morphological, anatomical and biochemical basis of collar rot and web blight resistance. The study was conducted in two separate experiments. 1. Evaluation of cowpea accessions for genetic variability, yield, quality and resistance or tolerance to pests and diseases. 2. Screening vegetable cowpea accessions for collar rot and web blight resistance under artificial conditions. These two experiment, the planting materials were 44 accessions of yard long bean and 22 bush cowpea accessions. Among the accessions, VS 29 (Malappuram local) had the highest yield (1127.52 g) and pods per plant (87.09), while VS 45 was noted that highest pod length, pod girth and pods weight.12 accessions of yard long bean and six accessions of bush cowpea showed moderately resistance to collar rot.