Effects of Inter and Intra Row Spacing on Growth Characteristics and Fodder Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Var. Kanannado) in the Semi-Arid North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during the 2009/2010 cropping season at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Farm at Dabagi to investigate the effects of inter and intra row spacing on the growth and fodder yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp Variety Kanannado). The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of three each of inter and intra spacing of 50, 75 and 100cm and 25, 50 and 75cm respectively. The treatments were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. The result of the study showed that inter-row spacing influenced (P<0.05) stand establishment count and plant height while intra row spacing affected (P<0.05) stand establishment count, plant height, leaf width, number of leaves and canopy spread. Dry matter yield did not differ (P> 0.05) across the different spacing and the highest yield of 1020 and 970 kg ha^-1 were recorded for the widest inter-row and intra-row spacing of 100 and 75 cm respectively. It was therefore concluded that wider inter-row spacing of 100 cm and intra-row spacing of 75cm produced the highest dry matter yield with Vigna unguiculata L. Walp Variety Kanannado in the semi-arid region of north-western Nigeria.