Response Of Cowpea Research Articles

Yield Response of Cowpea to Phosphorus Fertilizer Application

Phosphorus fertilizer application plays a major role in nodulation and grain yield production of cowpea. However, phosphorus is a major limiting nutrient in soils in Ghana. Selection of cowpea varieties that produce good biomass and grain yield under low soil phosphorus or those with high phosphorus response efficiency could be a cost-effective approach in solving the phosphorus deficiency problem in Ghana. This study was therefore conducted to determine the appropriate levels of phosphorus fertilizer application for improved nodulation and grain yield of four cowpea varieties. Two-season experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on growth, nodulation, biomass and grain yield in cowpea. Each of the two experiments comprised of 16 treatment combinations of 4 cowpea varieties and 4 levels of P2O5 application laid out in 4×4 factorial experiments in RCBD with three replications. The cowpea varieties were IT × P 148, Valenga, Bengkpla and DPC. The levels of P were 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha−1. The study revealed that varieties DPC and Valenga performed relatively better with respect to grain yield, shoot and root dry biomass production, nodulation, nodule dry biomass production, plant height, number of branches produced and number of days to 50% flowering across all levels of phosphorus fertilizer application. The study further established that P level of 60 kgha−1 also produced significantly higher quantities of yield and vegetative parameters such as grain yield, 100-grain weight, number of pods and branches, shoot and root dry biomass, nodulation and nodule dry biomass, as compared to P levels of 0 kgha−1, 20 kgha−1 and 40 kgha−1. Phosphorus fertilizer application level of 60 kgha−1 should be used for increased grain and biomass yield. For the purpose of producing grains for human consumption and leguminous fodder crops for feeding livestock, it is recommended that varieties DPC and Valenga should be cultivated for increased yield.

Response of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) to Time of Application and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Degraded Soil of Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted during 2017 and 2018 rainy season, to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and time of application on the growth and yield of cowpea. The treatment consisted of three levels of urea: 0, 40, 80 kg N ha-1 and the times of fertilizer application: during planting of cowpea, 2 weeks after planting, 4 weeks after planting and 6 weeks after planting; which were factorially combined to form twelve treatments and laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results showed that, Nitrogen fertilizer rates and time of application had a significant increased on all the growth and yield parameters of cowpea in both years of trials. Application of 80 kg N ha-1 produced the highest number of cowpea leaves (134.45 and 139.23), number of branches (9.45 and 10.54), vine length (78.23cm and 80.12cm) and highest seed weight of 0.52 t ha-1 in both 2017 and 2018 trials. However, the control plots produced plants with the highest number of root nodules (14.78 and 12.49) in both years of cropping. Also, application of nitrogen fertilizer at two weeks after planting of cowpea produced the highest growth and seed weight of 0.68 t ha-1 in 2017 cropping; while in 2018 trial, application of nitrogen fertilizer at two weeks after cowpea planting produced seed yield of 0.69tha-1 which is statistically similar with application of nitrogen fertilizer on the fourth week after planting which produced 0.55 t ha-1 of cowpea seeds. The interaction between nitrogen fertilizer application rates and time of application did not showed any significant difference in cowpea yield and yield components in both years of cropping.

Cowpea response to different irrigation depths in the Submedium São Francisco River Valley, in Juazeiro, BA, Brazil

Different cowpea genotypes respond differently to water regimes and to different climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of cowpea to different irrigation depths in the Submedium São Francisco River Valley, Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the experimental field of DTCS/UNEB, in Juazeiro, BA, Brazil, from November/2016 to January/2017, in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme randomized block design (cowpea genotypes x irrigation depths), with three replicates. The genotypes used were BRS Acauã and Canapu and irrigation depths, obtained based on 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150% of ETo. Physiological characteristics, production components and water use efficiency were analyzed. Increased irrigation depths only caused a significant effect on mass of one 100 grains. With water availability and climatic conditions observed during the experiment, BRS Acauã outperformed Canapu, with a better yield performance. BRS Acauã genotype had a better response in water use efficiency for grain yield, exceeding Canapu by 47.21%.

Response of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] Genotypes under Residual Moisture Condition in Rice-Fallow Area of Goa State, India

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2018-19 to study the response of 23 cowpea genotypes grown under residual moisture condition in rice-fallow situation of Goa state. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the eleven characters, justifying the selection of genotypes for the study. The estimate of Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) and Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) were high (>20%) for seed yield, straw yield, pods per plant and 100 seed weight. Heritability and genetic advance as per cent mean estimates were high for most of the characters except for days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and plant height. Characters plant height, pods per plant, straw yield and harvest index showed positive and significant association with seed yield. Path analysis based on seed yield, as a dependent variable, revealed that straw yield and harvest index had the highest positive direct effect on seed yield. Therefore, maximum importance should be given to these traits during the selection for achieving the higher seed yield under rice-fallow situation. Three promising genotypes identified from this study viz., PCP-1131, SKAU-C- 407 and RC 101 would serve as dual-purpose cowpea under rice-fallow areas due to their high seed yield and straw yield

Quantification of Methylglyoxal Levels in Cowpea Leaves in Response to Cowpea Aphid Infestation.

Aphids are a serious pest of crops across the world. Aphids feed by inserting their flexible hypodermal needlelike mouthparts, or stylets, into their host plant tissues. They navigate their way to the phloem where they feed on its sap causing little mechanical damage to the plant. Additionally, while feeding, aphids secrete proteinaceous effectors in their saliva to alter plant metabolism and disrupt plant defenses to gain an advantage over the plant. Even with these arsenals to overcome plant responses, plants have evolved ways to detect and counter with defense responses to curtail aphid infestation. One of such response of cowpea to cowpea aphid infestation, is accumulation of the metabolite methylglyoxal. Methylglyoxal is an α,β-dicarbonyl ketoaldehyde that is toxic at high concentrations. Methylglyoxal levels increase modestly after exposure to a number of different abiotic and biotic stresses and has been shown to act as an emerging defense signaling molecule at low levels. Here we describe a protocol to measure methylglyoxal in cowpea leaves after cowpea aphid infestation, by utilizing a perchloric acid extraction process. The extracted supernatant was neutralized with potassium carbonate, and methylglyoxal was quantified through its reaction with N-acetyl-L-cysteine to form N-α-acetyl-S-(1-hydroxy-2-oxo-prop-1-yl)cysteine, a product that is quantified spectrophotometrically.

PENGARUH CEKAMAN SALINITAS GARAM NaCl TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN KACANG TUNGGAK (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) PADA TANAH GAMBUT

Vigna unguiculata L. Walp is one of the cultivated plants in West Borneo, usually cultivated on dry land in the dry season and can live on land that is affected by sea water intrusion. High salt levels in the soil can cause crop growth disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) to the stress of salinity of NaCl. The study was carried out from 2019 to June 2019. Research was carried out using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), which consisted of four treatments namely 0 ppm, 2500 ppm, 5000 ppm and 7500 ppm. The results showed a significant effect on the parameters of plant height, root length, number of leaves and wet weight, but no significant effect on the parameters of dry weight, root nodules and effective nodules.

Combined application of inoculant, phosphorus and organic manure improves grain yield of cowpea

ABSTRACT Low concentrations of P and organic manure in savanna soils limit cowpea response to rhizobia. The study was conducted to determine the combined effect of P and organic manure on cowpea response to rhizobia in a factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications on smallholder farmers’ fields in northern Ghana in 2015. The factors were two levels of Bradyrhizobium inoculant, two levels of P fertilizer, three treatments of manure (fertisoil, cattle manure, and no manure). Addition of Bradyrhizobium inoculant to P and fertisoil significantly increased shoot biomass yield from 1677 kg ha−1 in the plots without Bradyrhizobium inoculation to 1913 kg ha−1. Likewise, the addition of Bradyrhizobium inoculant to P and cattle manure significantly increased shoot biomass from 1437 kg ha−1 to 1813 kg ha−1. Grain yield increases of 1427 and 1278 kg ha−1 were obtained over the control when either fertisoil or cattle manure and P, respectively, were added to Bradyrhizobium inoculant. The value cost ratio for adding Bradyrhizobium inoculant to phosphorus and fertisoil was two indicating that it could be attractive to risk-averse smallholder farmers. The study demonstrated the potential of the combined application of organic matter and P to improve cowpea response to Bradyrhizobium inoculation.

Effect of Organic (Jatropha Cake) and NPK Fertilizers on Improving Biochemical Components and Antioxidant Properties of Five Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Genotypes

Organic and inorganic fertilizers improve the nutritional quality of crop. An experiment in pots of four treatments was conducted in a randomized complete block design in order to evaluate the effect of the application of organic and NPK fertilizers on the biochemical components and antioxidant activities of five cowpea genotypes. Results showed that organic fertilizer and the mixture of organic and NPK fertilizer have significantly (p < 0.05) increased the growth parameters and leaves quality traits of cowpea. The response of cowpea under the different treatment is also function of genotype type. The PCA and the dendrogram performed basis on the different fertilizers effect on growth parameters and leaves quality trait divided the treatments into three main classes. Class I comprising NPK + Jatropha treatment strongly contributed to lycopene, β-carotene and total chlorophyll contents, height and number of branches. Class II comprising NPK treatment solely and Jatropha treatment solely are highly linked to the variables FRAP, DPPH and protein content. Class III comprising control treatment strongly contributed to salicylic, soluble sugar, phenolics and flavonoids contents, and trypsin inhibition activity. The Jatropha cake could be used solely or in mixture with NPK to improve growth and the quality traits of cowpea leaves.

Growth, yield and biochemical responses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) to fish silage enriched vermicompost

The study investigated effect of vermicompost enriched with fish silage on the growth, yield and biochemical constituents of cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates with plot size of 2.0×2.0 m each. The treatments were chemical fertiliser (CF) (100 kg urea + 300 kg single super phosphate ha-1), fish silage enriched vermicompost (VCS) (3.33 t of enriched vermicompost and 300 kg single super phosphate ha-1) and vermicompost (VC) (4.5 t vermicompost + 300 kg single super phosphate ha-1). Data on growth and yield parameters of cowpea were analysed. Chlorophyll and carotenoid content of the leaves were also estimated. Results showed that cowpea performed best with the enriched vermicompost in terms of average yield of fruits per plant (209.27 g), plant height (114.2 cm), total number of branches per plant (13.4), weight per fruit (4.41 g) and number of seeds per fruit (10.5). Cowpea plants given inorganic fertiliser had a better biochemical profile with higher total chlorophyll (37.52 mg g-1) and carotenoid (1.497 mg g-1) content than the organic manure treated plants. Results revealed that enriching vermicompost with fish silage is a potential option for improving the nutrient content of vermicompost, resulting in higher crop production by converting fish waste into a useful byproduct.

Morphophysiological responses of cowpea to irrigation with saline water and application of bovine biofertilizer

Cowpea crop has great economic importance, mainly in the Northeast, where it is a food source for several families. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effect of levels of electrical conductivity on irrigation water as a function of the application of biofertilizer in the growth and production of cowpea. The experimental design was completely randomized, presenting a factorial scheme of 4 x 2, corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw), 1; 2; 3 and 4 dS m-1 and the presence and absence of bovine biofertilizer application in four replicates. Plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of lateral branches, main branch length, root dry weight, shoot and total number, pod number per plant, mass dry weight of the pod, the length and mean diameter of the pod, the number of grains per plant, the number of grains per pod, the mass of grains and the mass of 100 grains. The increase of ECw inhibits vegetative and productive growth of cowpea and the use of enriched bovine biofertilizer attenuates the effects of saline stress on cowpea, favoring its development.

Cowpea and abiotic stresses: identification of reference genes for transcriptional profiling by qPCR

BackgroundDue to cowpea ability to fix nitrogen in poor soils and relative tolerance to drought and salt stresses, efforts have been directed to identifying genes and pathways that confer stress tolerance in this species. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) has been widely used as the most reliable method to measure gene expression, due to its high accuracy and specificity. In the present study, nine candidate reference genes were rigorously tested for their application in normalization of qPCR data onto roots of four distinct cowpea accessions under two abiotic stresses: root dehydration and salt (NaCl, 100 mM). In addition, the regulation of four target transcripts, under the same referred conditions was also scrutinized.ResultsgeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and ΔCt method results indicated a set of three statistically validated RGs for each stress condition: (I) root dehydration (actin, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant 1D, and a Phaseolus vulgaris unknown gene—UNK), and (II) salt (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant 1D, F-box protein, and UNK). The expression profile of the target transcripts suggests that flavonoids are important players in the cowpea response to the abiotic stresses analyzed, since chalcone isomerase and chalcone synthase were up-regulated in the tolerant and sensitive accessions. A lipid transfer protein also participates in the cowpea tolerance mechanisms to root dehydration and salt stress. The referred transcript was up-regulated in the two tolerant accessions and presented no differential expression in the sensitive counterparts. Chitinase B, in turn, generally related to plant defense, was an important target transcript under salt stress, being up-regulated at the tolerant, and down-regulated in the sensitive accession.ConclusionsReference genes suitable for qPCR analyses in cowpea under root dehydration and salt stress were identified. This action will lead to a more accurate and reliable analysis of gene expression on this species. Additionally, the results obtained in this study may guide future research on gene expression in cowpea under other abiotic stress types that impose osmotic imbalance. The target genes analyzed, in turn, deserve functional evaluation due to their transcriptional regulation under stresses and biotechnological potential.

COWPEA RESPONSE TO PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC

ABSTRACT Low grain yield of cowpea is influenced by several production factors, especially inadequate soil fertilization, in particular, phosphorus application. Tropical soils have low phosphorus and zinc levels due to either the source material or the absence of fertilization, which restricts cowpea grain yield; besides of that, zinc deficiency is accentuated with phosphor application. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertilization with phosphorus and zinc on cowpea yield. Two experiments were conducted, one with ‘BRS Guariba’ cultivar and another with ‘BRS Aracê’ cultivar. Both of them were performed on a medium-texture dystrophic Yellow Latosol (Oxisol), in the city of Magalhães de Almeida, Maranhão state (Brazil), in 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, using four doses of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1), and four of zinc (0, 2, 4, and 6 kg of Zn ha-1). There was an interaction between these minerals (p<0.01). Maximum grain yields of 1,376 kg ha-1 and 2,165 kg ha-1 were obtained at doses of 118 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 0.9 kg zinc ha-1 for ‘BRS Guariba’, and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 3.1 kg zinc ha-1 for ‘BRS Aracê’, respectively. The production component of greatest influence on grain yield was the number of pods per plant, with average values of 6 and 10 for ‘BRS Guariba’ and ‘BRS Aracê’ cultivars, respectively. The mean correlation coefficient was 0.82 (p < 0.01).

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Antioxidant response of cowpea co-inoculated with plant growth-promoting bacteria under salt stress.

Soil salinity is an important abiotic stress worldwide, and salt-induced oxidative stress can have detrimental effects on the biological nitrogen fixation. We hypothesized that co-inoculation of cowpea plants with Bradyrhizobium and plant growth-promoting bacteria would minimize the deleterious effects of salt stress via the induction of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative protection. To test our hypothesis, cowpea seeds were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium or co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and plant growth-promoting bacteria and then submitted to salt stress. Afterward, the cowpea nodules were collected, and the levels of hydrogen peroxide; lipid peroxidation; total, reduced and oxidized forms of ascorbate and glutathione; and superoxide dismutase, catalase and phenol peroxidase activities were evaluated. The sodium and potassium ion concentrations were measured in shoot samples. Cowpea plants did not present significant differences in sodium and potassium levels when grown under non-saline conditions, but sodium content was strongly increased under salt stress conditions. Under non-saline and salt stress conditions, plants co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and Actinomadura or co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and Paenibacillus graminis showed lower hydrogen peroxide content in their nodules, whereas lipid peroxidation was increased by 31% in plants that were subjected to salt stress. Furthermore, cowpea nodules co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and plant growth-promoting bacteria and exposed to salt stress displayed significant alterations in the total, reduced and oxidized forms of ascorbate and glutathione. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and plant growth-promoting bacteria induced increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and phenol peroxidase activities in the nodules of cowpea plants exposed to salt stress. The catalase activity in plants co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and Streptomyces was 55% greater than in plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium alone, and this value was remarkably greater than that in the other treatments. These results reinforce the beneficial effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria on the antioxidant system that detoxifies reactive oxygen species. We concluded that the combination of Bradyrhizobium and plant growth-promoting bacteria induces positive responses for coping with salt-induced oxidative stress in cowpea nodules, mainly in plants co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and P. graminis or co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and Bacillus.

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF COWPEA UNDER WATER STRESS AND REWATERING IN NO-TILLAGE AND CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT The goal of this work was to evaluate the physiological responses of cowpea under water stress and rehydration in conventional and no-tillage systems. We evaluated two crop systems (conventional and no tillage) and three water conditions (no stress, moderate stress and severe stress). The following were determined: leaf area, total dry matter, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO2 concentration and leaf water potential. Water stress affected all variables evaluated, with the exception of leaf water potential. Cowpea recovered with respect to all variables after rehydration at both stress levels. Stomatal closure is an important drought tolerance mechanism, and cowpea can be considered a conservative species (i.e., one that prioritizes water status maintenance rather than photosynthetic rate). Planting systems did not affect photosynthetic rate. The tillage system promoted greater accumulation of biomass and higher leaf area.

Growth and Yield Responses of Cowpea to Inoculation and Phosphorus Fertilization in Different Environments.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a major source of dietary protein and essential component of the cropping systems in semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, yields are very low due to lack of improved cultivars, poor management practices, and limited inputs use. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of rhizobia inoculant and P on nodulation, N accumulation and yield of two cowpea cultivars in Mozambique. Field study was conducted in three contrasting environments during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons using randomized complete block design with four replications and four treatments. Treatments consisted of seed inoculation, application of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1, inoculation + P, and a non-inoculated control. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to estimate the indigenous bradyrhizobia populations at the experimental sites. The rhizobia numbers at the sites varied from 5.27 × 102 to 1.07 × 103 cells g-1 soil. Inoculation increased nodule number by 34–76% and doubled nodule dry weight (78 to 160 mg plant-1). P application improved nodulation and interacted positively with the inoculant. Inoculation, P, and inoculant + P increased shoot dry weight, and shoot and grain N content across locations but increases in number of pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, and 100-seed weight were not consistent among treatments across locations. Shoot N content was consistently high for the inoculated plants and also for the inoculated + P fertilized plants, whereas the non-inoculated control plants had the lowest tissue N content. P uptake in shoot ranged from 1.72 to 3.77 g kg-1 and was higher for plants that received P fertilizer alone. Inoculation and P either alone or in combination consistently increased cowpea grain yield across locations with yields ranging from 1097 kg ha-1 for the non-inoculated control to 1674 kg ha-1 for the inoculant + P treatment. Grain protein concentration followed a similar trend as grain yield and ranged from 223 to 252 g kg-1 but a negative correlation between grain yield and protein concentration was observed. Inoculation increased net returns by $104–163 ha-1 over that for the control. The results demonstrate the potential of improving cowpea grain yield, quality and profitability using inoculant, although the cost-benefit for using P at the current fertilizer price is not attractive except when applied together with inoculant at low P site.

Effect of native arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi inocula on the growth of Cowpea [<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp.] in three differents agro ecological zones in Burkina Faso

Objective: The use of symbiotic microorganisms as mycorrhizal fungi to improve the availability of nutrients to plants is of great importance in agriculture. In this study, we were interested in the response of cowpea, variety KVX 396-4–5-2D, to mycorrhizal inoculation in the context of selection of effective Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) to improve cowpea productivity.Methodology and results: Six native AMF inocula (Tale Mossi, Pissila, Worou 1, Worou 2, Yakouta 1 and Yakouta 2), composed of spores contained in cowpea crop soils, were tested in cowpea plants under greenhouse conditions. Microscopic assessment of mycorrhizal colonization and biomass production were evaluated at the flowering/fruiting stage.Results showed variability among inocula regarding their response to cowpea growth. The frequency of mycorrhizal colonization of inoculated plants was generally high (92%), but the intensities remained low (57.65%). However, Yakouta 2 inoculum has recorded the best frequency (92%) and intensity (57.65%) of mycorrhizal colonization. Inoculation of cowpea with Yakouta 2 inoculum resulted in a significant increase (4 folds) in shoot (3.33 g) and root (1.5 g) biomass compared to control plants (0.5 and 0.3 g respectively for shoot and root biomass).Conclusion and application of findings: From these results, it appears that Yakouta 2 seems to be the most efficient for the growth of cowpea. This generally showed a beneficial effect of inoculation of cowpea suggesting that an endomycorrhizal strain selection could be carried on for cowpea inoculation in situ.Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, inoculation, cowpea, Burkina Faso

Response of cowpea (Vigna anguiculata [L.] walp) varieties following application of nitrogen fertilizers and inoculation

Response of cowpea (Vigna anguiculata [L.] walp) varieties following application of nitrogen fertilizers and inoculation

Nodulation and Biomass Yield Response of Cowpea to Row Spacing and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application in the Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zone of Ghana

Phosphorus fertilizer application and planting distance play a major role in the production of shoot, root and nodule dry biomass of cowpea. However, phosphorus is a major limiting nutrient in soils in Ghana. Selection of cowpea varieties that produce good biomass yield under low soil phosphorus or those with high phosphorus response efficiency can be a low input approach in solving this problem in Ghana. Two-season experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of phosphorus (P) fertilizer and row spacing on growth, nodulation and biomass yield in cowpea. Each of the two experiments comprised of 16 treatment combinations of 4 cowpea varieties, 2 levels of row spacing and 2 levels of P 2 O 5 application laid out in a 4t2t2 factorial experiments in RCBD with four replications. The cowpea varieties were IT t P 148, Valenga, Bengkpla and DPC. The levels of row spacing were 60t20 cm and 40t20 cm, whilst the levels of P were 0 and 30 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 . The study revealed that varieties DPC and Valenga performed relatively better with respect to shoot and root dry biomass production, number of nodules produced and nodule dry biomass production across both levels of row spacing and phosphorus fertilizer application. The study further established that row spacing of 60t40 cm and P level of 30 kg ha -1 also produced significantly higher quantities of shoot and root dry biomass, number of nodules and nodule dry biomass as compared to row spacing of 40t20 cm and P level of 0 kg ha -1 . For the purpose of producing leguminous fodder crops for feeding livestock, varieties DPC and Valenga should be cultivated for improved animal nutrition. Row spacing of 60t40 cm and phosphorus fertilizer application level of 30 kg ha -1 should also be used for increased biomass yield.

Physiological Responses of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) to Drought Stress during the Pod-filling Stage

Physiological Responses of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) to Drought Stress during the Pod-filling Stage