Influence of Sowing Dates on Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) (L) WALP) Varieties in Baddeggi, Njger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field trial was carried out at the Research farm of National Agricultural Extension and Research Liason Services (NAERLS/ABU Badeggi Zone , to determine the influence of sowing dates on growth and yield of Cowpea varieties during 2020 and 2021 rainy season. The experiment was a3 x 4 factorial laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The main plot comprised the time of sowing (June, July, August and September), while subplots comprised the varieties. IT8ID- 1228-12 (Semi erect), IT81D-1228-14 (erect) and UAMI4-126-L28 (Climbing). Results indicated that Leaf Area for 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons increased from 4-10 Weeks After Sowing (WAS) and decreased at 12 WAS. Total dry weights increased with the age upto 12 WAS. IT81D-1228-14 produced longer pods of 16.78 cm in 2020 and 16.64 cm in 2021. Higher Number of dry pods/plant of 8.83 pods in 2020 and 9.12 pods in 2021, the number of seeds /plant of 114.9 seeds in 2020 and 119.8 seeds in 2021, number of seeds/pod of 13.07 seeds in 2020 and 13.78 seeds in 2021, seeds weight of 12.80 g (2020) and 11.87 (2021), as well as seed yield of 420 kgh-1 in 2020 and 2021 respectively, compared with IT8ID- 1228-12 and UAMI4-126-L28, which produced short pods, lower number of dry pods, and number of seeds in the two cropping seasons. Sowing in June produced longer pods (17.68 cm and 17.70cm), higher number of dry pods/plant (8.99 pods and 9.38 pods) and higher number of seeds/plant (117.7 seeds and 124.6 seeds), number of seeds/pods (13.31 seeds 13.61 seeds), higher seed weight (13.00 g and 11.77 g), higher seed yield (417.00 kgha-1 and 428.00 kgha-1 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Based on the result, sowing cowpea in June performed better, while IT81D-1228-14 performed better than other varieties in all the characters studied.