“…The second, or fall-winter, crop in the central-west and southeast regions of Brazil is characterized by a sowing time between January and March, with a predominance of corn (Zea mays L.), as a consequence of the few economically viable alternatives for that period (Matoso et al, 2018;Shioga, Oliveira, & Gerage, 2004). However, the fall-winter crop options have been more susceptible to yield losses mainly resulting from water stress in later sowing, potentially causing yield reductions ranging from 80 to 100% in some years (Matoso, Soratto, Ceccon, Figueiredo, & Neto-Neto, 2013, Matoso et al, 2018Pegorare, Fedatto, Pereira, Souza, & Fietz, 2009). Therefore, because of its relative tolerance to water deficiency, short cycle, adaptation to less fertile soils, and low production costs, in addition to the increased demand for this legume by the domestic and foreign markets, cowpea has been emerging as an interesting option for farmers as a second crop (Matoso et al, 2013(Matoso et al, , 2018Olajide & Ilori, 2016;Oliveira, Andrade-Júnior, Ribeiro, Brito, & Carvalho, 2015;Timko & Singh, 2008).…”