Performance of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Varieties in Prayagraj Agro Climatic Condition for Growth, Yield, and Quality

The present investigation was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm (CRF), Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj during the Kharif season of 2022 to identify the best variety of cowpea that performed in the Prayagraj region. The varieties comprised of Kashi Kanchan, Kashi Gauri, Kashi Queen, C.P. 6, K-K- 25, Kaveri, Gomachi, Basant, Pusa Komal, Pusa Gaurav, Nirali, Gomati, Gayatri and Talvar. Based on results obtained during the present investigation it is concluded that for plant height at 60 DAS variety Basant had maximum plant height (191.32 cm), for number of primary branches per plant at 60 DAS variety Kaveri had maximum branches (34.32). In terms of early flowering and maturing, variety Gomati showed minimum days to first flowering (31.31 days), days to first pod setting (37.22 days) and days to first pod picking (48.77 days). For yield parameters like number of pods per plant variety C P-6 had highest number of pods per plant (108.12), pod weight (17.43 g), for pod length variety Kashi Queen showed maximum pod length (34.80 cm), while maximum pod diameter was found in variety Talvar (3.08 cm), maximum pod yield per plant was observed in variety C. P. 6 (1.88 g/plant). Variety Nirali was found to be best in the terms of quality parameters viz., TSS (4.86 0Brix) among different varieties of Cowpea.