Effect of Planting Density and Integrated Nutrient Management on Flowering, Growth and Yield of Vegetable Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp]

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2010, 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of planting density and integrated nutrients on flowering, growth and yield of vegetable cowpea cv. AVCP-1 at Horticultural Research Farm, AAU, Anand. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. From the three year data, it was found that plating density 60 x 30 cm recorded the highest plant height however, it was comparable with 45 x 45 cm. Planting density 45 x 45 cm recorded maximum pod weight and green pod yield which remained at par with planting density 60 x 30 cm. Whereas, planting density did not show any significant effect on days to flower initiation, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of branches per plant, pod length and number of seeds per pod. Application of nutrients 30 + 60 + 0 kg NPK / ha recorded significantly the earliest flowering. Application of fertilizer resulted in significant decreased in nodule production. However,any nutrients treatment did not observe the significant difference for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, yield attributing characters and green pod yield.