INTERACTION EFFECTS BETWEEN WATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES AND SPACING ON GRAIN YIELD AND ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS OF COWPEA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction effects between water harvesting techniques and spacing on grain yield and above ground biomass of cowpea.Methodology: A randomized complete block design was used. Field experiments were conducted. The study was conducted at Agriculture demonstration farm (Dakabaricha) and Yayo’s farm(Nagayo) and a private farm Demo farm. There were 18 treatment combinations consisting of three water harvesting techniques and two intra-row spacing.Results: The use of tied ridges (W3/S2) as the first and open ridges (W2/S1) as the second efficient techniques of water harvesting for this specific condition (Arid and semi-arid). In line with the above ground biomass, tied ridges with a spacing of 60 x 20cm planting could be safely recommended as the first and effective type of water harvesting techniques for use as a means of soil and water conservation for rain-fed cowpea under the prevailing conditions. The results of the study also showed that water harvesting techniques had a significant effect on the growth and yield of cowpea (Katumani K80).Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Farmers are encourage to give more emphasis to water harvesting techniques in situ and drought tolerant crops (DTC) which are high yielding in order to bost the economic of the resource poor residence in the area through capacity building. An assessment of adaptation of more cowpea genotypes at different environments across years is recommended. The investigation provided sufficiently evidence to continue with further studies.