PERFORMANCE OF COWPEA (VIGNA-UNGUICULATA) UNDER DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS

An experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 1985-87 to study the influence of various weather parameters and management practices on the overall performance of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Cowpea was sown at different dates at an interval of 10-15 days with 3 population levels (half the optimum, optimum, and one and half times the optimum population levels) in split-plot design. The crop sown on the date of onset of monsoon gave the highest yield (676 kg/ha). Delay in sowing reduced the yield by 28 kg/ha/day. When the crop was sown on the date of onset of monsoon, that with lower population gave significantly higher yield (138 kg/ha) than that with higher population. But at later seeding dates, variations in population did not affect the yield significantly.