Influence of Cowdung Fertilization And Spacing On Growth And Yield Of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) Varieties In Teaching And Research Farm Of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were conducted during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 wet seasons at Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State to evaluate the growth, Yield and Yield Components of Cowpea varieties as influenced by cowdung fertilization and spacing in n Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria. The treatments consisted of five cowdung fertilizer rates (0 ton ha^-1, 5 ton ha^-1, 10 ton ha^-1, 15 ton ha^-1 and 20 ton ha^-1), three intra intra-row Spacings (10cm, 15cm and 20cm) and two cowpea varieties (SAMPEA 11 and SAMPEA 12). Treatments were laid out in Split plot design with three replications. The Growth and Yield attributes measured in the field include plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and biomass yield. Others include number of pods plant^-1, 100 seed weight, pod weight kg plot^-1 and grain yield kg ha^-1. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA procedures and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability using SAS package. The results indicated that cowdung manure at 20 ton ha^-1 significantly outperformed other rates applied in terms of all growth and yield parameters evaluated and 20 cm spacing performed better on almost all growth and yield parameters than other spacings evaluated. SAMPEA 12 had performed significantly better than SAMPEA 11 in terms of plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, Biomass Yield, others are number of pods plant^-1, 100 seed weight, pod weight kg plot^-1 and Grain Yield kg ha^-1.