The influence of harvesting frequencies on green pod and dry seed productions of Cowpea [Vigna unguculata L. Walp] Ramshorn cultivar obtained from three varying seed production companies

Abstract

An attempt was made to evaluate the variation in green pod and dry seed production of Ramshorn Cowpea cultivar produced by three varying seed companies as influenced by harvesting frequencies. Therefore, green pods were either continuously harvested around the growing season, harvested four, six times, eight times and continuous dry pod harvest. The highest green pod yield (2.041 kg.m-2) were obtained from continuous green pod harvesting treatment, gradual reduction in green pod yields were confined with gradual reductions in harvesting frequencies. Contrary results were found with dry seed yield where gradual yield reductions were accompanied with gradual increases in green pod harvesting frequencies. Consequently, the highest seed yield (0.29859kg.m-2) was observed in continuous dry pod harvesting treatment. The best Ramshorn producing seed company was the Italian since it gave the highest green pod and dry seed yields (1.42997 and 0.12713 kg.m-2, respectively). The highest green pod and yield (2.12203kg.m-2) was obtained from Genex source of continuously green pod harvested interaction. The paramount dry seed yield (0.34236kg.m-2) was concomitant with Genex source of continuous dry pod harvest.