How to Plant Cowpeas in Spring? Detailed Explanation of Key Planting Techniques

Everyone must want to know about spring cowpea planting techniques. So below, the editor of Tuliu Network will share with you.

1. Select excellent varieties

There are many types of cowpea varieties, and appropriate varieties should be selected according to climate conditions, cultivation habits, planting season, etc. Before planting, first choose the cowpea variety well, and select varieties with disease resistance, high yield, good quality and good marketability. We should choose varieties with disease resistance, high yield, good quality and good marketability. The main varieties suitable in our county are Chengjiang No. 3, Chengjiang No. 1, Yuxiang High-Yield King, and High-Yield 168.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

After the seeds are selected, we should prepare the land and apply fertilizer. First, we need to turn and level the soil so that it becomes loose and flat. After turning the soil, we should draw lines. Generally, we draw lines along the north-south direction because this direction facilitates ventilation. First, we stretch a line on both sides of the field with rope, then draw lines along the rope with a wooden stick. The distance between lines is about 140 cm. After the whole field is marked out, we should apply base fertilizer, generally a compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When applying fertilizer, we need to note that the fertilizer should be spread as evenly as possible and applied in sufficient amount. The fertilizer application per 667 sq m is about 30 kg.

3. Water and fertilizer management

Throughout the entire growth period of cowpea, reasonable water and fertilizer management is one of the important measures to ensure high yield. Generally, cowpea does not need fertilization after trellising and before pod setting. This is because the fertilizer demand during this period is not large, and the base fertilizer applied before sowing is enough for the growth of cowpea before pod setting. In addition, it should be noted that before pod setting, watering should be avoided as much as possible to control excessive vegetative growth of stems and leaves. This is also beneficial for the upright growth of the plants and drainage during the rainy season. After entering the pod-setting stage, appropriate additional fertilization is needed.

4. Pest and disease control

After removing old leaves and diseased leaves and clearing weeds, another major task is pest and disease control in cowpea. Cowpea pests and diseases include aphids, viral diseases, leaf mold, rust, etc. Because cowpea has many diseases and they are relatively serious in damage, work on preventing and controlling cowpea pests and diseases must be done well. Varieties with strong disease resistance should be selected for reasonable sowing, and in the early stage of disease occurrence, diseased leaves should also be removed promptly to reduce the spread of disease, while spraying pesticides as early as possible.

5. Harvesting

Generally about 15 days after flowering, when the pods have grown to their maximum, the beans are slightly bulging, and the seed traces have not yet appeared, harvesting can begin. Harvesting should be timely; otherwise the pods tend to age, reducing quality and affecting continued flowering and pod setting of the cowpea later. The beans can be picked successively, generally once every 4-5 days, and during the full pod stage it is best to pick once every 1-2 days. The harvest period is about 30-40 days. In addition, when picking, be careful not to damage the remaining tender shoots and other small flower buds. The yield of cowpea per 667 sq m can reach about 3000-4000 kg, and its economic benefit is also quite considerable. As global market consumption and demand for cowpea increase year by year, cultivating cowpea has also become a new path to lead farmer friends onto the road to prosperity.