COWPEA

Description

Vigna unguiculata is a grain legume that originates in Africa. Attributes such as vine shape (climbing, prostrate, or semi-erect), seed color (shades of white, pink, brown, and black) and seed maturation time (60 to 240 days) vary with variety. Pods appear in V-shaped pairs.

The practice of cereal-cowpea intercropping and crop rotation coupled with effective soil fertility management can increase yields of cereals succeeding cowpea. Cowpea can fix up to 88 kg N/ha (Fatokum; et.al. 2000:pp. 301-318); in an effective cowpea-rhizobium symbiosis, more than 150 kg/ha of N is fixed, which can supply 80-90%of plants’ total N requirement.

Uses

V. unquiculata is a versatile crop grown as an annual. It is an important source of edible, dry seeds. Immature/green pods, seeds and leaves are also eaten. It makes an excellent green manure/cover crop and can be fed to livestock as hay, silage, or cut and carry forage. Best varieties for small-scale agriculture are usually those with spreading vines (for ground coverage/animal fodder) and high pod production (for human/livestock consumption). Early-maturing types are suited to short rainy seasons.  

Cultivation

• Elevation – up to 2000 m
• Rainfall – 300-4100 mm (500-1500 optimal); tolerates drought but not flooding
• Soil Types – wide range; prefers well-drained soils with pH of 6 to 7; intolerant of salinity
• Temperature Range – 15-40°C (25-35°C optimal)
• Day Length Sensitivity – ˂12 (short-day varieties) to 12-14 (day-neutral varieties) hours  
• Light – prefers full sun but tolerates some shade (important for intercropping)

Time seed sowing (2.5-5 cm deep in the soil) so that pods mature before the end of the rains. Plant 2-3 seeds/hole, thinning to 1-2 seedlings/hole 2 weeks after planting. If grown alone, aim for a plant spacing of 20-50 cm (in row) X 50-75 cm (between row), allowing more space for spreading than erect types. When intercropped, adjust spacing and planting time to minimize crop competition. V. unquiculata derives much of its nitrogen from the air but still benefits from modest fertility inputs. Keep V. unquiculata weed free until the plants are established.

Harvesting and Seed Production

For pulse (dry seed) production, harvest the pods as they mature and dry. Dry pods will turn yellow or brown. Multiple harvests may be needed, especially for spreading types. Remove seeds from the pods and keep them cool and dry. For leaf production, harvest young tender leaves every 1-2 weeks starting 1 month after seedling emergence until flowering. For fresh pods or “peas,” harvest pods about 2 weeks after flowering.  

Pests and Diseases

Integrated pest management is important, as V. unquiculata is adversely affected by insects, parasitic weeds, root-knot nematodes, fungal diseases, and viruses.

Cooking and Nutrition

V. unguiculata is a good, low-fat source of vegetable protein and carbohydrates. Dried seeds can be ground into a protein-rich flour, or cooked and added to many traditional foods. Soaking, germination, and boiling reduce antinutrients. Fresh leaves and  pods/seeds are used as a cooked vegetable. Leaves can be preserved by drying in the sun.

References

Dugje, I.Y. , L.O. Omoigui, F Ekeleme, A.Y. Kamara, and H. Ajeigbe. 2009. Farmers’ Guide to Cowpea Production in West Africa. IITA

Ecocrop. 1993-2007. Vigna unguiculata. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy.

Ibrahim, S.S. Habiba, R.A. A. Shatta, and H. Embaby. 2018. Effect of soaking, germination, cooking and fermentation on antinutritional factors in cowpeas. Food/Nahrung 46(2)92-95

Madamba, R., G.J.H. Grubben, I.K. Asante, and R. Akromah. 2006. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. In: Brink, M. and G. Belay (Editors). PROTA

Omenna, E.C. O.T. Olanipekun, and R.O. Kolade. 2016. Effect of boiling, pressure cooking and germination on the nutritional and antinutrients content of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). ISABB Journal of Food and Agriculture Science 6(1):1-8