Effect of water regimes and plant densities on cowpea production1

Marinete Martins De Sousa Monteiro,Aderson Soares De Andrade Júnior,Edson Alves Bastos,Valdenir Queiroz Ribeiro,Milton José Cardoso

doi:10.1590/1983-40632017v4747908

Marinete Martins De Sousa Monteiro, Aderson Soares De Andrade Júnior + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-40632017v4747908

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Cowpea has been cultivated in a rudimentary form in the main producing regions of Brazil, resulting in lower grain yields, when compared to the crop potential. The use of technologies such as water regimes, adequate plant density and soil management are alternatives to increase this crop yield. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different water regimes and plant densities on the yield components of cowpea cultivated under conventional and no-tillage systems. A randomized block design in a split-plot factorial, with four replications, was used. The treatments consisted of five water regimes in the plots (157.00 mm, 189.00 mm, 234.00 mm, 274.00 mm and 320.00 mm) and five plant densities as subplots (12 plants m-2, 16 plants m-2, 20 plants m-2, 24 plants m-2 and 28 plants m-2). The evaluated variables were: number of pods per plant, number of pods per area, pod length and grain yield. The combination between 270 mm of irrigation water depth with a density of 280,000 plants ha-1 resulted in higher grain yield using the no-tillage system, while the combination between the density of 280,000 plants ha-1 and 320 mm of water depth favored the highest grain yields in the conventional growing system.

Highlights

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is a crop with socioeconomic importance for the Northeast and North regions of Brazil, due to its low production cost and because it is an important source of protein for the low income populations of these regions, generating employment and income (Freire Filho et al 2005)
Potential estimated at ~6,000 kg ha-1. This low grain yield may be attributed to the water deficit and the low use of technologies, such as lack of adequate soil management, inadequate use of plant density and no irrigation management (Freire Filho et al 2005)
Analyses of variance detected a significant effect of water regimes and plant densities for all the variables, for both e-ISSN 1983-4063 - www.agro.ufg.br/pat - Pesq

Summary

Introduction

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is a crop with socioeconomic importance for the Northeast and North regions of Brazil, due to its low production cost and because it is an important source of protein for the low income populations of these regions, generating employment and income (Freire Filho et al 2005). In the Piauí state, the average yield is 256 kg ha-1, lower than the crop potential estimated at ~6,000 kg ha-1. This low grain yield may be attributed to the water deficit and the low use of technologies, such as lack of adequate soil management, inadequate use of plant density and no irrigation management (Freire Filho et al 2005)

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