Performance of short duration cowpea varieties for enhanced pulses production in different seasons under Tarai conditions
Abstract
Per capita availability of pulses in India is constantly declining due to stagnant production of pulses and increasing rate of population. Therefore, concerted efforts are being made to increase pulses production by introducing short duration high yielding varieties as a niche crop in the rice-wheat system. Cowpea is one of the potential crops for this system because a number of high yielding cowpea varieties have recently been developed which mature in 60-70 days and require less irrigation and fertilizers. This study was conducted to evaluate nine cowpea varieties including local and improved ones at Pantnagar but only 5 improved ones from IITA were evaluated at Majhera and Hawalbagh. The trials were conducted at three locations covering the plains and lower hills. At Pantnagar., three varieties, IT-82D-889, IT97K-1042, and IT98K-1111 appeared very promising with mean yields of 1844.78 kg/ha, 1741.77 kg/ha and 1252.08 kg/ha respectively compared to Pusa Komal 887.85 kg/ha and local variety, 563.26 kg/ha . IT-1042 and Pusa Komal matured in 70-75 days but IT98K-1111and IT-205 matured in only 60-65 days. The other two varieties from IITA, IT 93K-452 and IT98K-205 were also promising but their yields were low because of poor germination. IT97K-1042 was also very promising at Majhera and Hawalbagh with yields of 1467 kg/ha and 2139 kg/ha respectively but delayed in maturity. The results indicate a good possibility of increased cowpea cultivation.
Citation
Singh, Y.V.; Nautiyal, M.K.; Singh, B.B.; Pandey, B.; Sharma, C.L. Performance of short duration cowpea varieties for enhanced pulses production in different seasons under Tarai conditions of Uttarakhand. Pantnagar Journal of Research (2010) 8 (2) 198-201.