Vegetable Cowpea Research Articles

Crop diversification with short-duration cassava (Manihot esculenta) in the humid tropics for agronomic and economic benefits

Presently cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivation has shifted from the uplands to the lowlands, sequentially after main crop of rice, banana or vegetables and short-duration varieties (6-7 months) hold great promise. A three-year field experiment was carried out during 2007 to 2010 at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram to develop feasible short-duration cassava-legume system in lowland situation akin to rice fallow. Two short-duration cassava varieties, Vellayani Hraswa and Sree Vijaya were evaluated in two cropping systems (sequential cropping and intercropping) involving two types of cowpea (vegetable (var. Pusa Komal) and grain types (var. C 152)) under two fertility levels based on soil testing (full and reduced) in split plot design. Vellayani Hraswa (24.55 tonnes/ha) produced significantly higher yield over Sree Vijaya (21.46 tonnes/ha) in systems involving cowpea. But the tuber and total biomass, crop growth rate, tuber bulking rate, mean tuber bulking rate, relative growth rate and harvest index of the varieties was comparable. Sequential cropping proved superior to intercropping as indicated by the significantly higher fresh tuber yield of 26.07 tonnes/ha under sequential cropping over 19.94 tonnes/ha in intercropping) and dry matter production. Both vegetable cowpea and grain cowpea were equally compatible with short-duration cassava under both the systems. Entire P and half N for short-duration cassava (N: P2O5: K2O @ 50:0:100 kg/ha) could be saved in both the systems involving cowpea by the third year. Sequential cropping of vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] followed by short-duration cassava (under full N) proved to be a profitable production system generating the highest net return (Rs. 97398/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.15).

Effect of planting density and integrated nutrient management on flowering, growth and yield of vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp

HIND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE ABSTRACT : A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2010, 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of planting density and integrated nutrients on flowering, growth and yield of vegetable cowpea cv. AVCP-1 at Horticultural Research Farm, AAU, Anand.The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. From the three year data, it was found that plating density 60 x 30 cm recorded the highest plant height however, it was comparable with 45 x 45 cm. Planting density 45 x 45 cm recorded maximum pod weight and green pod yield which remained at par with planting density 60 x 30 cm. Whereas, planting density did not show any significant effect on days to flower initiation, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of branches per plant, pod length and number of seeds per pod. Application of nutrients 30 + 60 + 0 kg NPK / ha recorded significantly the earliest flowering. Application of fertilizer resulted in significant decreased in nodule production. However,any nutrients treatment did not observe the significant difference for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, yield attributing characters and green pod yield.

Effect of boron, molybdenum and biofertilizers on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) in acid soil of eastern Himalayan region

Unavailability of essential micronutrients is a major constrain for cowpea growth, nodulation and pod yield under acid soil condition. In this context a two year field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of boron, molybdenum and biofertilizers on growth, nodulation and pod yield of vegetable cowpea in acid soil of eastern Himalayan region. Treatments consisted of four levels of seed treatment with molybdenum and biofertilizers (Rhizobium+PSB) and four levels of foliar spray of boron, laid out in split plot design. The result revealed that combined use of seed treatment with molybdenum (0.5g/kg seed) and biofertilizers along with foliar spray of boron at 4weeks of planting significantly enhanced the growth and yield attributes of cowpea and registered 42% and 54% improvement in number of pod and pod yield/plant respectively over control, whereas seed treatment with molybdenum (0.5g/kg seed) and biofertilizers alone recorded 76% and foliar spray of boron at 4weeks of planting alone produced 39% higher pod yield/plant over control.

Early generation selection for green pod yield and its components in vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Early generation selection for green pod yield and its components in vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Identification and confirmation of trailing-type vegetable cowpea resistance to anthracnose

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is the most destructive disease in cowpea worldwide, leading to complete crop loss with no recommended management strategy. The few resistance sources available belong to the bush type grain cowpea (ssp. cylindrica) and usage of these lines in resistance breeding invites extensive backcrossing. Recently, from farmers’ fields of Malappuram district of Kerala state in India, a trailing-type vegetable cowpea (ssp. sesquipedalis), Arimbra Local has been reported to possess resistance to this disease. The present study confirmed the resistance through controlled artificial inoculation and the basis of resistance was analyzed through protein profiling and defense enzyme analyses. Protein profiling has revealed that the resistant varieties are capable to maintain a high level of RuBisCo, the main photosynthetic enzyme, consistently, whereas the susceptible varieties had shown a drastic fall in the level of this enzyme soon after fungal infection. Further, the defense enzymes such as peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were also related to the level of resistance. Hence, Arimbra Local is recommended for the crop improvement programs in trailing-type vegetable cowpea, intended for enhancing the resistance to anthracnose.

An Impact Assessment of Vegetable Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Variety “Kashi Kanchan”

A study was conducted to assess the impact of Kashi Kanchan variety of vegetable cowpea developed at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi. Seed sale data (2007–2008 to 2013–2014) were collected from IIVR, Varanasi and from a private seed company at Raipur which produces its seeds (2010–2011 to 2012–2013). The IIVR, Varanasi sold 8,323.24 kg truthful seed of Kashi Kanchan to the farmers and Govt. Organizations/Private Agencies in 117 districts of 23 states covering an estimated area of 416.19 ha during 2007–2008 to 2012–2013. The private seed company, of Raipur produced and marketed 189,562.75 kg truthful seed of Kashi Kanchan in 167 districts of 14 states covering an estimated area of 9,478.14 ha during 2010–2011 to 2012–2013. In addition, 626.6 kg of breeder seeds were also produced at IIVR, Varanasi and provided to different organizations in 19 districts of 9 States during 2008–2009 to 2013–2014, which, if converted properly to foundation and then to certified seed (estimated 641,638.4 kg) during 2010–2011 to 2015–2016, the total expected area to be covered would be 32,081.92 ha. Based on the estimated area, a revenue of about 630 crores would have been generated from this variety alone if the pods were sold as fresh vegetable. The per hectare net return from production of Kashi Kanchan during summer and rainy seasons was 103,406/- and 84,142/- with benefit: cost ratio of 2.35:1 and 2.11:1, respectively. Maximum share of total variable cost was of human labour.

Variability studies in vegetable type cowpea under variable environments

Cowpea is one of the most important legume vegetable in India and Indian sub continent is considered as its place of origin, which resulted divers native germplasm. Therefore, an experiment was carried out at Horticul-tural Research cum Instructional Farm, IGKV, Raipur during kharif and rabi 2007-08 to study the extent of genetic variability in 60 diverse vegetable cowpea genotypes. The mean sum of squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all the characters in both the environments. The magnitudes of PCV were higher than the GCV. Highest and close GCV and PCV were recorded for pod weight and green pod yield per plant in kharif and rabi respectively. Highest heritability estimate was recorded for days to 50% flowering and pod weight whereas, highest genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for pod weight and green pod yield per plant during kharif and rabi seasons respectively. High heritability along with high genetic advance were recorded for pod weight, green pod yield per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, pod length and plant height, hence selection based on these characters would be more effective for the improvement in cowpea.

Identification of selection indices and choosing of parents for vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculatacv-gr. sesquipedalis) breeding programme

In the present study seventeen genotypes of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv-gr. Sesquipedalis) collected from different places in the country were evaluated for different horticultural traits for genetic variation, character association, cause-effect analysis and genetic diversity was measured among the genotypes through D2 statistics. All the eight characters under study differed significantly among the genotypes. High to moderate GCV and PCV values were found for number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant, pod weight, number of seeds per pod and pod length. Higher estimates of broad sense heritability coupled with higher genetic advance for number of pods per plant, pod yield per plant, pod weight, number of seeds per pod and pod length. Association studies revealed that genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than their phenotypic correlation coefficients in most of the cases. From the correlation and path analysis, it can be concluded that emphasis should be given on number of pods per plant and pod weight for selecting high yielding genotypes. Based on the degree of divergence the genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. The top three characters which contributed most towards the genetic divergence were number of seeds per pod, pod yield per plant and pod weight. Cluster II had genotypes with high pod productivity, while the genotypes in Cluster III flowered much earlier. Crossing between genotypes within these groups could produce highly productive and early maturing cowpea genotypes.

Impact of animal manure EM-bokashi on seed yield and quality of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of EM treated animal manures (named as animal manure EM-bokashi) on yield and nutritional composition of seeds of vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). This experiment was carried out with five treatments and 15 replications. The pots were arranged in a completely randomized way in the net house. The treatments included a non-fertilizer application as a control, the recommended chemical fertilizer dose and three types of animal manure EM-bokashi (cattle manure EM-bokashi, goat manure EM-bokashi and poultry manure EM-bokashi). The results showed that application of EM treated animal manures significantly increased the number of leaves caused greater nodulation, produced higher number of pods per plant, yielded maximum number of seeds per pod, greater 100 seed weight, higher yield and increased seed quality compared to chemical and non-fertilizer treatments. Among the different types of animal manure EM-bokashi, goat manure EM-bokashi applied plants produced comparatively higher seed yield with good nutritional value in the present study thus it is most suitable for obtaining higher economic yield and better seed quality of vegetable cowpea on sandy regosol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v48i1.15411 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 48(1), 33-38, 2013

Soil nutrient dynamics, growth and yield of green maize and vegetable cowpea with organic-based fertilization

The growth and yield performance of green maize (Zea mays), followed by a late-season vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), was assessed with two rates of three different types of organic-based fertilizers (OBFs) fortified with an inorganic nutrient source. There was also an inorganic fertilizer treatment of NPK 20–10–10 applied at 300 kg ha−1 and a no-fertilizer control treatment. Maize growth was affected by fertilizer type and rate. Organic fertilizer, applied at 5 t ha−1, 3 weeks before maize released enough nutrients to have comparable growth as inorganic fertilizer. Applying the OBF at 2.5 t ha−1 was inadequate to give comparable growth. Application of fortified OBF with total nitrogen content higher than 2.4% N at 5.0 t ha−1 gave maize grain yields comparable with NPK fertilizer. Cowpea yields following early-season maize were highest with DPW + NPK. They were significantly lower with 2.5 t ha−1 of the OBFs. Application of the IAR&T-OBF (OBF made by Institute of Agricultural Research and Training) and decomposed poultry waste (DPW) + NPK at 5.0 t ha−1 gave comparable seed yields significantly higher than OYO-OBF (OBF made by Oyo State Government of Nigeria). NPK fertilizer application supported early-season maize cultivation, but it was not adequate to support the following cowpea. OBF should have nitrogen content up to 2.4% and applied at 5.0 t ha−1 to support an early-season maize cultivation with a late-season cowpea.

Performance of Vegetables under Ailanthus excelsa based Silvihorticultural System in Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

Experiments were conducted to develop a suitable Ailanthus excelsa based silvihorticultural system for higher productivity in Western zone of Tamil Nadu. Tomato, brinjal, bhendi, cluster beans and vegetable cowpea were intercropped in 3 years old Ailanthus excelsa. Results revealed that the growth and yield of intercrops were reduced under intercropping compared to pure cropping. Among the test crops, tomato was most affected and cluster bean was the least affected. However the benefit cost ratio was highest for brinjal (3.02:1) and lowest for vegetable cowpea (2.35:1) due to the higher productivity in brinjal. Growth of Ailanthus was also influenced due to intercropping with cluster beans and vegetable cowpea. The tree height and DBH of Ailanthus was highest when intercropped with cluster beans (15.21% and 10.00 % increase over pure tree) and the lowest was observed with tomato (4.30 % and 2.50 % increase over tree alone).

Genetic Variability and Heritability Studies in Bush Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp.)

The present studies were carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for different characters in 22 diverse genotypes of bush cowpea. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications during the period 2011-2012 at the Department of Olericulture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala, India. The analysis of variance indicated the prevalence of sufficient genetic variation among the genotypes from all the characters studied. Among the genotypes VU 6 (310.41 g) was the highest yielder. Pods per plant were highest in VU 8 (70.30) and pod weight in VU 20 (12.44 g). The high phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for pod weight, plant height, and pod length. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for all characters studied, except days to first flowering and days to first harvest indicating these characters are governed by additive gene action. Hence, direct selection may be followed for the improvement of vegetable cowpea for these characters.

Protein content variation in cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) grown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa as affected by mineralised goat manure

Nutrients availability of cultivated soils in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa is generally low, and recognizing that manure application has been one of the most effective methods to improve soil fertility and crop yield in tropical African countries, we assessed the effect of manure application on the leaf crude protein content of six cowpea genotypes (Vegetable cowpea, Ivory grey, Okhalweni, Fahari, Fahari dark, and 97 K-1069-8) a green house experiment. Fresh leaves were collected from each cowpea plant 21 days after planting and ground in liquid nitrogen for protein extraction and quantification. The results showed that Fahari had the highest concentration of crude protein (46.51 mg/ml) while vegetable cowpea (24.41 mg/ml) had the lowest without the influence of manure application. However, upon application of manure (goat), Fahari dark had the highest crude protein concentration (53.53 mg/ml) while vegetable cowpea had the lowest (29.08 mg/ml). Fahari, 97K-1069-8, Ivory grey, and Okhalweni contained 51.79, 49.03, 44.83, and 38.33 mg/ml crude protein concentrations, respectively. This study demonstrated that genotypes as well as manure application significantly influenced cowpea yields in terms of its leaf crude protein content. Key words: Cowpea, genotypes, crude protein, manure.

Yield and yield components in vegetable cowpea on an ultisol

Field trials were conducted from 2001 to 2004 at the research farm of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, South Eastern Nigeria to evaluate the yield and its components in nine vegetable cowpea cultivars. The cultivars differed significantly in yield and most of the components and the yield were not stable across the years of the study though, few cultivars seem to have stable yields. Pod yield was positively correlated with number of pods/m2, pod length and width and these attributes could serve as selection indices for this crop. Key words: Vegetable cowpea, yield, yield components.

Effects of akidi (Vigna unguiculata sub spp. Sesquipedalis) planting density on growth, yields and land use efficiency of akidi/cassava intercrop

Field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to determine the effects of akidi (vegetable cowpea) planting density on growth, yields and productivity of akidi /cassava intercropping system in 2008 and 2009 planting seasons. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments were seven akidi populations of 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 plants/ha and a sole cassava. Akidi was also planted sole and in intercropped with cassava. Results indicated that the average plant height of 180.66 and 180.74 cm obtained from the akidi plots at 60,000 and 70,000 plants/ha was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the average of 170.12cm obtained from sole cassava. Similar trend was also observed in cassava leaf area index. A significantly (P<0.05) lowest number of pods/plant (7.37) was obtained from the intercropped plots of akidi (70,000 plants/ha). Dry seed yield of 313.00 kg/ha obtained from the sole plots of akidi (60,000 plants/ha) was significantly higher than 284.97 kg/ha obtained from intercropping akidi at the same planting density. Akidi plots at 60,000 and 70,000 plants/ha produced significantly higher cassava tuberous root yields than the yields obtained from sole cassava and from the plots of other akidi densities in the intercrop. Although akidi at 70,000 plants/ha produced the highest cassava tuberous root yield advantage by 30.1 % over sole cassava; the highest land equivalent ratio (2.34) was however obtained from akidi plots at 60,000 plants/ha. From this study, it appears that integration of optimum akidi density (60,000 plants/ha) in cassava intercrop can enhance cassava growth, tuberous root yield and increased land use efficiency. Keywords: Akidi, Cassava, Intercrop, planting density, yields, land use efficiency.

Productivity of cocoyam/ cowpea intercropas influenced by cowpea growth habit

Cocoyam was grown with vegetable cowpea in sole cropping and in intercropping to examine the effects of four contrasting vegetable cowpea growth habits on the productivity of the component crops in Umudike, southeastern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments comprised all combinations of cocoyam and four cowpea cultivars (spreading Akidi ani, climbing Akidi enu, semi erect IT81D-128-14 and erect IT86F-2014-1) and sole crops of each crop. On average, intercropping reduced cocoyam corm yield by 22% in spreading Akidi ani, 25% in semi erect IT81D- 128-14 and 41% in erect IT86F-2014-1. Similarly, intercropping reduced cowpea pod yield by 21% in erect IT86F-2014-1, 22% in climbing Akidi enu and 27% in semi erect IT81D-128-14. The climbing Akidi enu had the least adverse effect on corm yield and gave high pod yield, with a high combined average land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.8.Keywords: Cocoyam, vegetable cowpea, growth habit, productivity

Heritable relationships and variability of yield and yield components in vegetables cowpea

Six populations from two crosses of vegetable cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) were studied for heritable relationships between yield and yield components. Highly significant differences were observed for all traits. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation, indicating the influence of genotype x environment interaction in the expression of all characters. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates were determined for pod length (71 and 65%, cross 1; 66 and 52%, cross 2), for number of seeds pod-1 (74 and 52 %, cross 1; 76 and 52% cross 2), and for number of pods plant-1 (64 and 49%, cross 1; 69 and 49 %, cross 2). Although the heritability values for pod length were relatively high, the non-significant genotypic correlation of pod length with grain yield seems to negate its usefulness as a trait for improvement of yield. The moderate to high heritability values of pods plant-1 and seeds pod-1 and their highly significant positive correlation with yield suggested that pods plant-1 and seeds pod-1 are major yield contributing components.

Impact of creeping vegetable cover crops on weed flora composition during the early growth of &lt;i&gt;Hevea&lt;/i&gt; (Natural rubber) saplings in a tropical rain forest zone

Weed management is amongst the most expensive agronomic practice in immature rubber plantation. Field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2004 and 2005 at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria. The purpose was to assess the impact of some creeping economic vegetable crops (vegetable cowpea – Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. ssp sesquipedallis, Egusi melon – Cucumeropsis manni Naaud., Fluted pumpkin – Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F and Pumpkin – Cucumbita pepo) compared to the conventional cover crop (Centrosema pubescens) on weed flora composition when grown with rubber saplings. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Weed flora comprising of 33 species under 17 plant families was observed across the field. Panicum maximum, Elusine indica, Brachiaria lata and other grass and sedge species dominated in the conventional cover crop plots. While ephemeral weed species like Talinum triangulare, Peporomia pellucida, Acalypha cillata and other broad leave weeds dominated in creeping vegetable crop plots, except the Telfairia plot which had weed flora closely similar to those of the conventional cover crop plots. The weed spectrum, density and dry matter weight were significantly lower in the Curcubita pepo and Cowpea plots compared to the conventional cover crop plots. The effect of the cover crops on the plant height and stem girth did not differ significantly within the first 12 months. Thus, it could be said that with the exception of the Telfairia occidentalis, the creeping vegetable crops could be of importance for the control of noxious weed flora in immature rubber.

Effect Of Growing Cucumber With Some Leaf Vegetables And Vegetable Cowpea On Growth And Productivity

Cucumber was grown with Corchorus, Amaranthus in 2006, and in 2007, Celosias and vegetable cowpeas were included in the study. The growth and yield variables per plant of intercropped leaf vegetables and vegetable cowpea compared favourably with those grown alone. However, on per unit area basis the sole crops out-yielded the intercrops. With regards to cucumber, most of the growth and yield variables were not affected by the companion crops. The intercrops produced the best yield advantage over the sole crops of either cucumber or the intercropped vegetables. Cucumber-based intercropping pattern grown with vegetables generally gave the land equivalent ratios which were higher than the sole crop of Cucumber. The mixture productivity as represented by land equivalent ratio, showed that higher benefits can be derived from growing cucumber and either Corchorus or Amaranthus , than growing the component crops alone. Cucumber grown with Corchorus consistently produced the best land productivity for the two-year trial. The positive response in intercropping obtained in 2007 was similar to that obtained in 2006.

Effect of vegetable cowpea population on component crop yields and productivity of yam based systems

Effect of vegetable cowpea population on component crop yields and productivity of yam based systems