|Cowpeas requires a growing season of about 70-130 days depending on variety. The time of sowing should relate to the need to harvest the seed in the dry season. In order to lessen the occurrence of fungal diseases like scab and ascochyta especially in the high rainfall areas of Zambia, growing of early maturing varieties can be as late as early January. The sowing of later indeterminate types can vary from November to mid December.
Spacing of rows of cowpea should be adjusted to robustness of the variety and this can be from 50-90 cm apart. The recommended spacing for erect, determinate types is 50-60 cm between rows and 5-12 cm within the row using a seed rate of 15-25 kg/ha. For indeterminate types, spacing is 75-90 cm between rows with a seed rate of 12-20 kg/ha. A fine tilth and shallow planting (not deeper than 2 cm) should ensure good stands. Gapping stands may be filled by transplanting or resowing within the first week after emergence. Spreading types, however, exhibit considerable compensatory growth.
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|Origin And Botany | Varietal Development And Maintenance | Land Selection | Land Preparation | Planting | Fertilization | Irrigation | Weed Control | Plant Protection | Roguing | Harvesting|