VEGETABLES Cultivating cowpeas: Part 2

This annual herbaceous legume thrives in dry conditions and is an important crop in arid, semi-desert regions where few other crops will grow. Cowpeas are used for human and livestock consumption.

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Cowpeas are grown directly from seed, usually under dryland conditions, says a production guide by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the ARC.

During land preparation, cut down the existing fallow weeds and trees, and slash with a tractor. Remove fallen trees. Follow by ploughing and harrowing, using a disc plough. Allow four to six days between each operation to enhance soil tilth for good seed germination, advises the guide.

The land may be ridged or left as flat seedbeds after harrowing.

Both inter-row and intra-row spacing will be determined by the variety and growing pattern.

More space between plants and rows will be required with trailing types compared with the upright-growing kind.

Generally for grain production, a plant population of 200 000/ha to 300 000/ha at an inter-row spacing of 30cm to 50cm is preferred to wider rows (between 70cm and 100cm), which could be suitable for the trailing types.