Growth and Yield Performance of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) Under Different Organic Mulch Materials

Abstract

A study was conducted on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculalta L) under different mulch materials on an Alfisol in the Teaching and Research farm of Ambrose Alli University, in Ekpoma, Nigeria. Mulch materials increased the soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and carbon exchange capacity of the soil over control. At 3 and 6 weeks after planting, cocoa husk and empty fruit bunch recorded significant higher plant height, leaf area and number of leavers of cowpea plant over cassava peels and control. The plant height of cowpea for cocoa husk, empty fruit bunch and cassava peels at 3 weeks after planting were 5.93cm, 8.64cm and 5.01cm respectively. Only cocoa husk values for plant height (18.02cm) leaf area (159cm²) and number of leaves (184.26) were significantly higher than control at 9 weeks after planting. Cocoa husk grain weight of 0.35t/ha was also the only value that was significantly higher than control.