Sowing Date Effects on Cowpea Cultivars as a Second Crop in Southeastern Brazil

Author(s)

Matoso, Aline O. ^{[1, 2]} ; Soratto, Rogerio P. ^[3] ; Guarnieri, Franciele ^[3] ; Costa, Nidia R. ^[3] ; Abrahao, Rafael C. ^[3] ; Tirabassi, Luis H. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Coll Agr Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Triangulo Mineiro, Ave Rio Paranaiba 1241, BR-38280000 Iturama, MG - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Coll Agr Sci, Dept Crop Sci, Lageado Expt Farm, POB 237, BR-18610307 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AGRONOMY JOURNAL; v. 110, n. 5, p. 1799-1812, SEP-OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In southeastern Brazil, there has been increasing interest in cowpea {[}Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cultivation as a second crop. A three-year study was conducted to evaluate the growth, seed yield, and seed protein of cowpea cultivars (BRS Cauame, BRS Guariba, BRS Itaim, BRS Novaera, BRS Potengi, BRS Tumucumaque, and BRS Xiquexique) as affected by sowing date (from early February to late April) in Botucatu, Brazil. Delay in sowing, especially after early March, delayed the emergence and flowering and increased the cycle of the cowpea cultivars. On average, each day of sowing delay increased the crop cycle by 0.82 d because of the decreasing temperature. The delay in sowing from late March drastically reduced the aboveground dry matter biomass, numbers of lateral branches and pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and seed yield of cowpea cultivars. There was great variation in the seed yield across growing seasons, but the earliest sowing date (early February) resulted in the greatest seed yields, which could reach up to 2746 kg ha(-1). Sowing dates until early March provided sustainable seed yields (on average >800 kg ha(-1)). Cultivar ranking varied across sowing dates and growing seasons, but with sowing dates from early February to early March, the cultivars BRS Cauame, BRS Guariba, BRS Novaera, and BRS Potengi were the most productive. Sowing dates later than early March also reduced the crude protein content in the seeds of cowpea cultivars. Cowpea has potential as an alternative second crop in southeastern Brazil since it can be sown until early March. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14873-0 - Sowing time and plant population for cowpea cultivars [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in out-of-season
• Grantee: Rogério Peres Soratto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/02613-4 - SOWING TIME AND PLANT POPULATION FOR COWPEA CULTIVARS [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] IN OUT-OF-SEASON
• Grantee: Aline de Oliveira Matoso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate