We calculate the cross sections for the p(p,n pi(+))p and p(p,p pi(0))
p reactions for proton beam energies near threshold in a covariant one
-boson-exchange model, which incorporates the exchange of pi, rho, sig
ma and omega mesons, treats both nucleon and delta isobar as intermedi
ate states. The final state interaction effects are included within th
e Watson's theory. Within this model the omega and sigma meson exchang
e terms contribute significantly at these energies, which, along with
other meson exchanges, make it possible to reproduce the available exp
erimental data for the total as well as differential cross sections fo
r both the reactions. The cross sections at beam energies less than or
equal to 300 MeV are found to be almost free from the contributions o
f the Delta isobar excitation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ
ts reserved.