The effect of Decumbence, Climbing, and Bushy Traits on Yield and Yield Components of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Abstract

To compare their performance in yield and yield components, cowpea lines with varying growth habits, namely decumbent, climbing, and bushy were grown in 1989 and 1990. The growth habits were observed to have significantly affected the grain yield and its components. The determinate, bushy grain cowpea produced peduncles per plant comparable to the other growth forms but showed a remarkable decline in yield and yield components. Both the climbing and decumbent habits had a significantly higher percentage pod set than the bushy type. The climbing and decumbent growth forms did not differ in grain yield; significant differences between them were recorded only in the number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight. The nature of the limiting effects of plant growth habits on grain  yield is discussed.