Cowpea nutrient responses for Malawi and Tanzania

Abstract

Research was conducted in Malawi and Tanzania to determine cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) grain yield responses to applied P and K, the agronomic and economic efficiency of nutrient application, and the importance of other nutrient deficiencies. Nine site-years of research were conducted. Cowpea did not respond to fertilizer P and K in Malawi. In Tanzania, the yield response to applied P was linear with 21 kg of grain yield increase per kg of P applied. Overall, the effect of P applied at the economically optimal rate (EOR) were mean cowpea grain yield increases and profit to cost ratios (PCR), respectively, of 0.47 Mg ha -1 and 3.2 in Tanzania. Similar effects for K application in Tanzania with an EOR of 17 kg ha -1 were 0.264 Mg ha -1 yield gain and a PCR of 2.3. There were no responses to application of Mg, S, Zn and B. Financially constrained farmers are often not able to apply fertilizer at EOR for all of their cropland. The mean effect of applying K in Tanzania at 50% compared with 100% of EOR to twice as much land was 35% more production increase and 52% more PCR. The results indicate the importance of adequate availability to farmers of straight P and K fertilizers for farmer profitability. Use of multi-nutrient fertilizers implies paying for nutrients that will not give a yield response, thereby reducing the profit potential.

Consistency, variability, and predictability of on-farm nutrient responses in four grain legumes across East and West Africa

“…At the same time, considerable variation in response was observed for all three types of nutrients, which reflects earlier findings in literature. For P, most published estimates of response in soybean, common bean, cowpea and groundnut tend to be between 150 and 500 kg ha −1 ( Chekanai et al, 2018 , Giller et al, 1998 , Kaizzi et al, 2018 , Kaizzi et al, 2012 , Maman et al, 2017 , Ronner et al, 2016 , Serme et al, 2018 , Tarfa et al, 2017 , Ulzen et al, 2018 , Zingore et al, 2008 ) and can be considered consistent with the 250 kg ha −1 found in our study, although responses below 100 kg ha −1 ( Ikeogu and Nwofia, 2013 , Mabapa et al, 2010 , Serme et al, 2018 , Smithson et al, 1993 ) and above 500 kg ha −1 ( Kaizzi et al, 2018 , Kamara et al, 2007 , Moses et al, 2018 , Tarfa et al, 2017 ) have also been reported.…”

Chemical and molecular examinations of some cowpea genotypes using simple sequence repeat and intersimple sequence repeat DNA markers in relation to their cooking quality

“…Previous literature reported that cowpea seeds were rich in protein content, containing about 21%–31% proteins per 100 mg (Anam 2016 ; El‐Jasser, 2011 ; Henshaw & F.O., 2014 ), thus, they are considered a nutritionally balanced food for human. Moreover, previous studies declared that seeds of cowpea genotypes having high protein content could be selected for formulating infant feeds and for consumers characterized by protein‐deficiency conditions (Moses et al., 2018 ; Ravelombola et al., 2016 ). Black Balady genotype before cooking exhibited the highest content (30.26 ± 0.05) followed by Azmerlli (29.80 ± 0.08) and Greenish Black Balady (28.50 ± 0.00) genotypes.…”

“…proteins per 100 mg (Anam 2016;El-Jasser, 2011;Henshaw & F.O., 2014), thus, they are considered a nutritionally balanced food for human. Moreover, previous studies declared that seeds of cowpea genotypes having high protein content could be selected for formulating infant feeds and for consumers characterized by proteindeficiency conditions (Moses et al, 2018;Ravelombola et al, 2016).…”

Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin

“…is one of the grain legumes that is playing an important role in the livelihood of millions of people in West Agronomy 2021, 11, 1139 2 of 13 Africa [5]. Cowpea leaves and grain are substantive foods with protein contents of 27-43% in leaves and 21-33% in grain [6]. Cowpea leaves are also used as livestock fodder in West Africa [7] and they contribute to soil fertility improvement through nitrogen fixation and ground cover [6].…”

“…Cowpea leaves and grain are substantive foods with protein contents of 27-43% in leaves and 21-33% in grain [6]. Cowpea leaves are also used as livestock fodder in West Africa [7] and they contribute to soil fertility improvement through nitrogen fixation and ground cover [6]. Hence, cowpea plays a major role in human nutrition as a source of protein and is mostly enjoyed with cereal staples, even though it can also be consumed alone.…”