1. Origin
Cowpea originated in Africa, particularly in central and southern regions, and spread to Asia and India through trade. Its adaptability to poor soils and drought makes it vital for traditional farming systems in arid areas.
2. Geographical Distribution in India
Major growing states include Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. It is grown for pulse, vegetable, and fodder, mainly by smallholders.
3. Economic Importance
- Rich in protein and supports nutrition in marginal areas.
- Used as food (pods and grains), fodder, green manure, and cover crop.
- Improves soil fertility via nitrogen fixation.
- Ideal for rainfed farming systems.
4. Soil and Climatic Requirements
Soil: Prefers sandy loam with good drainage, pH 5.5–7.0.
Climate: Warm climate with temperatures between 25°C–35°C; tolerant to drought and moderate rainfall.
5. Land Preparation
- Plough 2–3 times for fine tilth.
- Incorporate 5–10 tons/ha of FYM.
- Level land for uniform irrigation; use ridges and furrows in irrigated fields.
6. Varieties Developed in India
- Pusa Komal, Pusa Phalguni – vegetable types.
- Kashi Kanchan, CO 6, VBN 2 – high-yielding grain/fodder types.
7. Seed Requirement
Grain types: 20–25 kg/ha, Vegetable types: 35–40 kg/ha. Treat seeds with Thiram and Rhizobium culture before sowing.
8. Sowing Time
- Kharif: June–July
- Rabi: October–November (southern India)
- Summer: February–March (under irrigation)
9. Cropping Systems
Intercropped with maize, sorghum, or cotton. Used in Cowpea–Wheat or Cowpea–Groundnut rotations and as a green manure crop.
10. Fertilizer Requirements
Apply 20:40:20 kg/ha N:P:K basally. Use biofertilizers and apply micronutrients in deficient soils.
11. Water Requirements
- Needs 3–4 irrigations, especially at flowering and pod development stages.
- Avoid waterlogging; use light, frequent irrigations.
12. Weed Management
- Manual weeding at 20 and 40 DAS.
- Use Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i./ha as a pre-emergent.
13. Diseases and Management
- Powdery Mildew: Sulphur sprays.
- Leaf Spot/Rust: Mancozeb or Carbendazim.
- Mosaic Virus: Resistant varieties, vector control.
14. Insect Pests and Management
- Aphids, Jassids: Dimethoate, Imidacloprid.
- Pod Borer: Neem extracts, Spinosad.
- Whiteflies: Systemic insecticides, field sanitation.
15. Harvesting & Threshing
Harvest at 80–90% pod maturity. Dry and thresh manually or mechanically. Dry properly before storage.
16. Yield
- Grain: 10–15 q/ha
- Vegetable pods: 50–75 q/ha
- Fodder: 200–250 q/ha
17. Post-Harvest Operations
- Dry seeds to 8–10% moisture for storage.
- Use airtight containers; treat seeds for insects.
- Green pods should be marketed quickly.
- Preserve surplus fodder as hay or silage.
Conclusion: Cowpea is a resilient, multipurpose crop that supports sustainable agriculture and food security in diverse regions, especially under challenging climatic conditions.