Effect of inter-row spacing and plant stand per hill on the yield of cowpea.

Abstract

F.ield experiments were conducted to determine whether change in inter-row spacing and plant stand per blllaffeds grain
yreld of the new improved cowpea lines. Yield was used to determined the best inter-row spacing and plant stand per bill
for three new improved high yieldlng cowpea Vigna unguicuJata lines at Serere Agricultural and Animal P.roduction
Research Institute (SAARI). Three inter-row spacing (30 x 30, 45 x 30, and 75 x 30 em) wen compared with the recommended
spacing of 60 x 30 em, while one plant per bill compared with two plants per hill. The widest inter-row spacing (75 x 30 em)
gave the lowest yield in the three lines. The same trend was observed in both fint and second rainy seasons. The highest
yield Was obtained at a spacing of45 X 30 em. UM!er this spacing (45 X 30 em) one plant per hill r~ulted in bigber yields,
while under 75 x 30 em, spacing two plants per hole gave the highest yield. Thus a spacing of 45 x 30 em appears to be the
optimal for the three cowpea lines, with one pla.nt per hill instead of two plants. Line DVTB consistently out yielded DVTA
and DVT. Lighter rains of second rains of 1997 favoured cowpea grain yield resulting in highest yields obtained in this
season. The effect of seasons on the three lines was not consistent.