Growth and forage yield potential of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) as exploited by sowing dates and plant population

Studies were conducted at two locations viz., Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Moga to evaluate the effect of weather variables caused by sowing dates and seed rate on growth and fodder yield of cowpea. The fourteen treatment combinations comprised of seven dates of sowing i.e. March 5, March 25, April 14, May 4, May 24, June 13 and July 3, and two seed rates i.e. 30 and 37.5 kg ha⁻¹. Crop sown on March 5 took the longest time to emerge and was the only crop to flower. The highest plant height and dry matter accumulation per plant was registered in the sowing of May 4 and March 5, respectively. However, the maximum leaf area, number of branches, green and dry fodder yield was observed in the April 14 sowing. The higher seed rate (37.5 kg ha⁻¹) increased green fodder yield by 8.9 percent over the lower seed rate (30 kg ha⁻¹).