Effect of planting density and integrated nutrient management on flowering, growth and yield of vegetable cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp]

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2010, 2011 and\r2012 to study the effect of planting density and integrated nutrients on flowering, growth and\ryield of vegetable cowpea cv. AVCP-1 at Horticultural Research Farm, AAU, Anand.The\rexperiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. From the three year data, it\rwas found that plating density 60 x 30 cm recorded the highest plant height however, it was\rcomparable with 45 x 45 cm. Planting density 45 x 45 cm recorded maximum pod weight and\rgreen pod yield which remained at par with planting density 60 x 30 cm. Whereas, planting\rdensity did not show any significant effect on days to flower initiation, days to 50 per cent\rflowering, number of branches per plant, pod length and number of seeds per pod. Application\rof nutrients 30 + 60 + 0 kg NPK / ha recorded significantly the earliest flowering. Application of\rfertilizer resulted in significant decreased in nodule production. However,any nutrients treatment\rdid not observe the significant difference for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height,\rnumber of branches per plant, yield attributing characters and green pod yield.