Crop Production Technology (CPT) of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

INTRODUCTION

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is locally known as Lobia or Lohbia (?????) or Rawaan in Pakistan and   Black-eyed Pea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata) is commonly available cowpea subspecies in Pakistan. It is a multipurpose crop but it has not been given much priority in the selection among the rest of the pulses like Mung bean, Mash bean, Lentil (Masoor) and Chickpea (Chanay). But due to its multipurpose nature the agriculture departments in Punjab, Pakistan are importing its exotic varieties and running trials on them. And at the same time, farmers are also being educated about the usefulness of this crop.

Epigeal germination of Vigna unguiculata L.

IMPORTANCE

  i. It has more protein contents then rest of the legumes.

 ii. Its leaf and immature pods can be used as vegetable.

iii. Its green leaves are rich source of proteins.

iv. It can also be used to enhance the fertility of the soil because of it root nodule formation.

 v. It can also be cultivated as forage crop.

vi. It can be grown in both irrigated and rainfed areas and has minimum water requirements then the rest of the legumes. So it is more preferrable crop.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS

Cowpea grows in sub-humid and sub-arid tropics. In Pakistan, imported varieties can be cultivated in two seasons. In the spring season, the best time for its cultivation is from mid February to end of February but in Kharif season it is cultivated in the end of July to the first week of August.

A) The crop sown in February can be harvested as;

i. Vegetable in First week of May

ii. Pulse in Last week of May

B) The crops sown in July (Kharif crop) can be harvested as;

i. Vegetable in September

ii. Pulse in October

SEEDBED PREPARATION

Cowpea can be cultivated in most types of the soils. But properly drained sandy loams are best for cultivation. The seedbed is prepared by the ploughing the field at field capacity and level.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION 

Cowpea is generally not responsive to the fertilizer dose, so fertilizers are not added by the subsistence farmers. In case of intercropping of cowpea with other crops like sugarcane, millet and sorghum, fertilizer dose can be added. For this purpose add 1 bag of DAP at the field capacity and then planking should be done to level the field.

SEEDRATE

12-15 kg per acre according to the soil type and method of sowing.

METHOD OF SOWING

Drill sowing is recommended.

Plant to Plant distance = 10cm

Row to Row distance = 50-75cm

IRRIGATION
Since it is mostly grown in rainfed areas so no irrigation scheduling is done. In the irrigated fields 2-3 irrigation are required for the crop. First irrigation is done after 20-22 days and next in May or June it should be done at fortnightly intervals. In the crops sown in July, requires only 1-2 irrigations due to monsoon rains.

WEEDING

When cowpea is intercultured, then no hoeing is required. Hoeing done before sowing cowpea is sufficient. But when grown as sole crop, then hoeing is recommended after emergence of seedlings and before flower formation.

CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES

A number of pest attack on the crop. Similarly many fungal diseases like Fusarium wilt are common. In these cases, use recommended and resistant varieties against these diseases. And for the chemical control use the chemical insecticides and fungicides recommended by the agriculture department. 

HARVESTING

1. Crop sown in February

  i.  Picking of green pods start after about three months.

 ii. For seed purpose, harvesting is done at the end of May.

iii. Fodder crop should be harvest at the time of pod formation.

2. Crop sown in July-August

  i. Picking of green pods is done after about two moths.

 ii. For seed purpose, harvest in the end of October.

iii. Fodder crop should be harvest at the time of pod formation.

STORAGE

After harvesting, dry the pods, thresh to obtain pulse. The moisture contents should not exceed above 10% during storage of the seeds. Then store in the containers or bags. To prevent the storage rodents and insects, the store should be fumigated or burn dried neem leaves near the store. 

CULTIVARS
These are general purpose varieties which can be sown in both February (Spring) and July (Kharif Crop).

  i. White Star

 ii. No. 2127

iii. No. 1

iv. P-518