Growth parameters
Vine length was significantly different among the varieties for both seasons (Table 1). On the basis of pooled analysis, Lafa Sundari Bangla (112.10 cm) was recorded with tallest vine length followed by Girija Deshi Lafa (96.66 cm) while lowest length was recorded in VU-5 (32.64 cm) which was statistically
at par with Pusa Komal (35.50 cm) followed by Triguna (35.65 cm). Among the varieties, somewhat higher vine length was recorded in Lafa group of cowpea varieties because of their pole type nature.
Vavilapalli et al., (2013) and
Ichi et al., (2013) reported that cow pea varieties show wide range of variation with respect to vine length under Nigerian condition which was in conformity with this results. This huge variation in vine length might be due to the genetic characteristic of the individual varieties
(Srinivas et al., 2017). Apart from these genetic characters, significant enhancement in crop growth was due to microenvironment of the crop created with followed conservation agricultural practices
(Yadav et al., 2017).
Pooled analysis data shown that minimum days for flowering, first and last harvesting were taken by the variety Kaberee (37.17 days, 45.17 days and 64.83 days, respectively) which was statistically
at par with Bidhan Barbati-1 (37.84 days, 45.83 and 64.83 days, respectively). Whereas, maximum time was taken by variety Pusa Phalguni Gold (53.67 days, 61.67 days and 81.33 days respectively) which was also statistically
at par with VU-5 (52.00 days) for flowering and Lafa Charulata (60.33 days and 80.00 days, respectively) for first and last harvesting (Table 1). Time taken for flowering varies from 37.17 days to 53.67 days. This wide range of variation in days taken to flowering and harvesting might be due to the different Agro climatic condition and variation in studied varieties. This statement was in conformity with
Yohanna (2014), who reported that time taken for flowering varied from 50.67 to 70.17 days under Nigerian condition and
Kamara et al., (2017) noticed wide variations for cowpea genotypes in Nigerian Sudan savannas for flowering (37- 58 days) and harvesting (63-87 days).
Belay et al., (2017) also reported that variability among cowpea genotype was mostly depends upon cropping system and it differs according to region, maturity, growth habit and photosensitivity requirement. According to
Barcchiya and Kushwah (2017), genetic constitution of variety was responsible for variation in flowering.
Nodulation
A significant variation with respect to number of nodules per plant at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 60 days after sowing (DAS) was found among the different varieties (Table 2). According to pooled analysis, significantly highest number of nodules per plant was recorded in Kaberee (23.30 in 30 DAS and 27.50 in 60 DAS, respectively). The lowest number of nodules per plant was recorded in Kailash (12.63) at 30 DAS which was also statistically
at par with Pusa Phalguni Gold (13.10) and Bali -265 (14.09). Whereas, at 60 DAS the lowest number nodules per plant was recorded in Pusa Phalguni Gold (16.97) which was also statistically
at par with Kailash (17.80) and Bali -265 (18.34). It was noted that, the higher number of nodules was recorded at 60 DAS as compared to 30 DAS. Similar result also given by
Sarr et al., (2015) reported that the higher number of nodules was recorded at six weeks after sowing as compared to the two and four weeks. Variation in nodule numbers in different intervals with respect to variety was also recorded by
Abayomi et al., (2008) and
Santos et al., (2011).
Significant variation with respect to nodule dry weight per plant at 30 DAS and 60 DAS was observed in both the years as well as in pooled analysis (Table 2). A significantly highest nodule dry weight per plant was recorded in Lafa Sohini-7 (140.22 mg) in 30 DAS and in-case of 60 DAS; it was in Lafa Sundari Bangla (189.87 mg). The lowest nodule dry weight per plant at 30 DAS and 60 DAS was recorded in VU-5 (85.62 mg and 108.03 mg, respectively). In this experiment higher nodule dry weight was recorded at 60 DAS as compared to 30 DAS. This might be due to the higher number nodules per plant produced in the 60 DAS as compared to 30 DAS. This variation in nodulation was due to different pattern of nodulation as usually the physical distribution of root system in the soil
(Agyeman et al., 2014).
Canopy temperature
The different cowpea varieties showed a distinct variation among themselves with respect to canopy temperature (Table 4). The maximum canopy temperature was recorded in VU-5 (33.20°C) followed by Kailash (32.75°C), Pusa Komal (32.34°C), Lafa Sundari Bangla (31.35°C), Girija DeshiLafa (31.27°C), Gaurav (32.14°C) respectively. The minimum canopy temperature was recorded in Kashi Kanchan (29.00°C) which was statistically
at par with Bali-265 (29.43°C), Kanak (29.72°C), Bidhan Barbati-2 (29.92°C), Lafa Sohini -7 (30.37°C). Variation in canopy temperature was noticed during experimentation with respect to the different varieties. Mason and Singh (2014) also reported variation in canopy temperature in different breeding lines of wheat.
Pod characters
Perusal of the data presented in Table-3 revealed that the pod length varied significantly in both the years and also in pooled analysis. Significantly longest pod was produced in Girija Deshi Lafa (45.40 cm). Somewhat higher pod length was also recorded in Lafa Barbati (43.94 cm) followed by Lafa Sundari Bangla (43.53 cm). Significantly shortest pod length was recorded in Pusa Phalguni Gold (20.65 cm) followed by Bali-265 (22.88 cm) which was statistically
at par with Kailas (24.10 cm), Gaurav (24.20 cm) and Ankur Gomati (23.95 cm).
Srinivas et al., (2017) found pod length varies from 11.93 to 25.60 cm and reported significant variation under Maharashtra condition.
Magashi et al., (2014) reported that pod length varied from 13.77 cm to 16.50 cm under Nigerian condition.
Khan et al., (2010) reported that pod length ranged from 10 to 38 cm under Pakistan condition. Variation in pod length of cowpea might be due to variation in agro-climatic condition and variation in genotypic characters.
There was a significant variation in pod weight among the different varieties in both the years as well as in pooled analysis (Table 3). Individual pod weight varied from 6.49g to 14.40 g with respect to different varieties of cowpea. Significantly highest individual pod weight was recorded in Girija Deshi Lafa (14.29 g) followed by Lafa Barbati (13.84 g), Lafa Sundari Bangla (13.1 g), Lafa Sohini-7 (12.89 g) and it was lowest in Pusa Phalguni Gold (6.52 g) followed by Bali-265 (6.80 g), Kailash (7.03 g) and VU-5 (7.35 g). The higher individual pod weight was might be due to the higher fruit length and diameter. Variation in pod weight also recorded might be due to the variation in pod length among the different varieties studied.
Peksen (2004) also reported that there is a significant and positive correlation in between pod length and individual pod weight. Similar findings were also reported in present experiment.
The different cowpea varieties showed a distinct variation among themselves with respect to number of pod per plant in both the year as well as in pooled analysis (Table 3). Highest number of pods per plant was recorded in Triguna (31.07) which was statistically
at par with Kanak (30.70), Kashi Kanchan (29.33). Higher number of pods per plant was recorded in Bidhan Barbati-2 (26.17) followed by (Lafa Sohini-7 (23.17), Pusa Komal (23.14) and Bidhan Barbati-1 (23.04) respectively. Whereas, the lowest number of pods per plant was recorded in VU-5 (11.17) which was also statistically
at par with Kailash (14.03). In this experiment number of pod per plant varied from 11.17 to 31.07. Similar finding was also reported by
Yohanna (2014).
Pod yield
Significant variation was noted among different varieties with respect to yield in both the year (Table 3). Among the different varieties maximum yield was recorded in Kashi Kanchan (18.51 t/ha). Higher yield was also recorded in case of Triguna (17.07 t/ha) followed by Kanak (16.69 t/ha), LafaSohini -7 (15.59 t/ha), Lafa Sundari Bangla (13.76 t/ha) and Bidhan Barbati-2 (13.84 t/ha) respectively. The lowest yield was recorded in VU-5 (5.46 t/ha) which was also statistically
at par with Kailash (6.05 t/ha). The higher yield in some varieties with respect to grand mean of yield might be due to the higher individual plant yield, number of pods per plant, individual pod weight and pod length. In this experiment, Kashi Kanchan, Triguna and Kanak recorded higher yield (34.52%, 24.06% and 21.29%, respectively) over the check variety Lafa Sundari Bangla. Higher yield of the above varieties might be due to the moderately higher number of pods per plant, pod length and individual pod weight. These results are in conformity with the findings of
Shilpa et al., (2015) who mentioned positive correlation between cowpea yield and number of pods per plant. Variation in yield of the different varieties was also observed by
Pandey et al., (2011). According to
Choudhary et al., (2017) increased pods per plant and desirable bushy plant type may enhance the yield potential to a larger extent in mung bean.
Agbogidi and Egho (2012) reported that genotypic variation mainly based on genetic makeup and adaptation capability of plants and their response to different environmental factors.
Pod quality parameters
On the basis of pooled analysis, significantly highest beta carotene content in green pod was recorded in Lafa Sundari Bangla (1037 IU/100g fresh pod) followed by Girija Deshi Lafa (1021 IU/100g fresh pod) and LafaSohini -7 (1017 IU/100g fresh pod) respectively. The lowest beta carotene content in green pod was recorded in Bidhan Barbati -1 (888.51 IU/100g fresh pod) which was statistically
at par with Pusa Komal (892.20 IU/100g fresh pod) and VU-5 (928.56 IU/100g fresh pod). In this experiment, beta carotene content of different varieties varied from 888.51 to 1037 IU/ 100 g fresh pod (Table 4). Hazra and Som (1999) reported that beta carotene content of cowpea was 943 IU/100g fresh pod, which was more or less similar with the findings of the present experiment.
It is evident from the Table 4, that cowpea varieties were significantly different in ascorbic acid content of fresh pod. Maximum ascorbic acid content (20.17 mg/100g fresh pod) was recorded by Lafa Sundari Bangla. Higher ascorbic acid was also recorded in Girija Deshi Lafa (18.69 mg/100g fresh pod) which was statistically
at par with Lafa Sohini- 7 (17.60 mg/100g fresh pod) followed by Lafa Charulata (16.85 mg/100g fresh pod), Lafa Barbati (16.77mg/100g fresh pod) and Kashi Kanchan (16.42 mg/100g fresh pod) respectively. Lowest ascorbic acid content (11.23 mg/100g fresh pod) was observed in Ankur Gomati which was also statistically
at par VU-5 (11.66 mg/100g fresh pod) and Gaurav (11.55 mg/100g fresh pod).
It was found that there was a significant variation in cowpea varieties with respect to protein content (Table 4). The highest protein content was recorded in Lafa Sundari Bangla (4.69%) which was followed by Girija Deshi Lafa (4.59%) and Lafa Sohini-7 (4.34%) respectively. Whereas lowest protein content was recorded in VU-5 (3.20%) followed by Ankur Gomati (3.42%), Gourav (3.46%) and Kailash (3.49%) respectively. In this experiment protein content of Bidhan Barbati -1 was 3.83% and 3.94% in BidhanBarbati -2. More or less similar results were recorded earlier by
Hazra et al., (2007) in case of protein content of Bidhan Barbati -1 and Bidhan Barbati -2.