PERFORMANCE OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata L.) VARIETIES GROWN IN MAIDUGURI SUDAN SAVANNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2024 rainy season at two locations: Teaching and Research Farm, University of Maiduguri (latitude 11.47ON, longitude 12O, 16.464OE) and the Teaching and Research Farm, Borno State University (latitude 11.83ON, longitude 12.99ON and altitude 315m above sea level), in the Sudan Savanna region of Nigeria. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of cowpea varieties. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment consisted of four cowpea varieties: Fuampea 1, Fuampea 4, Sampea 14, and Sampea 20-T. The parameters assessed included plant height per plant, number of leaves, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, 100 grain weight, and yield per hectare. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Statistix version 10.0, and mean comparisons were conducted using the Least Significant Differences (LSD) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. The findings revealed that Fuampea 1 and Fuampea 4 performed superior plant height, number of leaves, and number of branches, whereas Sampea 20-T had the lowest values among the varieties. Additionally, Fuampea 4 took longer days to reach 50% flowering. Yield related parameters were significantly higher for varieties Fuampea 4 and Fuampea 1 in both locations and the combined. Therefore, it was concluded that cultivating either Fuampea 4 or Fuampea 1 would enhance sesame productivity and optimize yield. .