Impact of Phosphorus Levels and Spacing on Growth, Yield and Development of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Zaid 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P). To determine the “Impact of phosphorus levels and spacing on growth, yield and development of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)”. To study treatment consisting of three phosphorus concentrations viz. 30, 40, 50 kg/ha and three levels of spacing 20cm×20cm, 30cm×30cm, 40cm×40cm. There were 10 treatments, each of which was replicated three times and laid out in a random block design. The results showed that treatment 8 [Phosphorus (50kg/ha) + (30cm×30cm)] recorded significantly higher plant height (60.3 cm), higher number of branches/plant (7.40), higher plant dry weight (16.47 g), higher number of nodules/plant (10.00). Whereas, maximum number of pods/plant (15.07), maximum number of seeds/pod (10.87), higher seed yield (1.05 t/ha), higher stover yield (1.60 t/ha), was recorded in treatment 8 [Phosphorus (50kg/ha) + (30cm×30cm)]. Similarly, maximum gross returns (89,050.00 INR/ha), higher net returns (57,832.40 INR/ha) and highest benefit cost ratio (1.85) was also recorded in treatment 8 [Phosphorus (50kg/ha) + (30cm×30cm)] as compared to other treatments.

Effect of Spacing and Different Levels of Phosphorus on Growth and Yield of Malepatan‐1 Variety of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (Linn.) Walp.) in Dang District, Nepal

“…The increase in yield might be due to root proliferation leading to nitrogen fixation for better crop establishment and production. A similar result has been reported by Nikhitha et al [14] in cowpea and Abraham et al [36] in black gram. LSD, least significant difference; CV, coefficient of variation; NS, nonsignificant.…”

“…However, there was a significant interaction between spacing and phosphorus in treatment 2 (S 1 P 2 ) with the highest yield of 0.51 t/ha which is provided in Table 7 and Figure 3. Nikhitha et al [14] also recorded the significant interaction between the spacing and phosphorus level in the yield of cowpeas. 4.6.…”

“…Cowpea yield increases with an increase in plant populations per unit area; however, narrow spacing between the plant rows reduces the crop yield because of interplant competition [13]. Studies conducted by Nikhitha et al [14] and Degefa et al [15] concluded that the interaction between phosphorus and spacing has a significant effect on different yields, attributing characters of cowpea and mung bean. Similar research conducted by McBride [16] explains low plant space results in a higher soil-root interface that allows effective utilization of phosphorus available in the soil; however, excess P with low spacing levels may lead to toxicity, reducing the plant's ability to take up micronutrients, particularly iron and zinc, which then have a detrimental impact on yield and the growth.…”