Effect of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Variety and Plant Spacing on Grain and Fodder Yield

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to examine the effect of plant spacing on grain and fodder yield of four cowpeas varieties. Four cowpea varieties i.e. Asetenapa, Asomdwe, Hewale and Videza were sown with three plant spacing i.e. 30 x 15 cm, 45 x 15 cm and 60 x 15 cm at Samboligo in the Bongo District of the Upper East of Ghana.  The experiment was laid in randomized complete block with four replicates in factorial fashion. Cowpea variety and plant spacing significantly influenced grain yield, 1000 seed weight, nodules per plant and plant height. Plant spacing had no significant effect on stem girth, pods per plant, pod length and seed per pods. Variety ‘Hewale’ produced the highest grain yield of 991.3 kg ha-1 while Asetenapa produced the highest fodder yield of 1025.5 kg ha-1. Interactive effect between Asomdwe and 45 x 15 cm had the highest 1000 seed weight (170.6 g) while Asetenapa and 30 x 15 cm produced the highest grain yield (1072.9 kg ha-1). Variety ‘Hewale’ is recommended for commercial grain production while Asetenapa for fodder production. Asetenapa and 30 x 15 cm combination is recommended for commercial grain production.