Latest Cowpea Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Cowpea is also called yardlong bean. It is commonly sown and planted in spring in the south, and pods form in summer. It is a common vegetable grown by farming households. There are many cultivated varieties, and the cultivation history is relatively long, with much cultivation experience. A farmer who often grows it will also understand a lot of related cultivation techniques, but there are also some things that everyone may not have noticed, which need to be introduced to everyone.

1. Choose varieties

When planting, pay attention to choosing varieties with strong adaptability that can adapt to the local environment, such as some heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant varieties. Various places also have many local varieties specially bred for the locality, or local seeds that farmers have kept propagating and planting.

2. Choose land

It is necessary to choose deep soil so that the root system grows better. The cowpea root system is not very strong and is afraid of flooding. Flooding easily causes root rot, so it can be planted in places with a lower groundwater level or in higher terrain. Farmers in the south often plant it on field ridges, but it is still better not to plant it on sloping land, as water supply is inconvenient. Loose sandy loam soil in the field is best.

3. Fertilization

The base fertilizer should be applied together with the soil when preparing the land, then finely plowed and mixed together. After planting, it needs to be watered thoroughly to promote root growth. The first topdressing is before flowering, applying a compound quick-acting fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation and ensure flowering; the second is at the early podding stage, applying more fertilizer to promote more pods and full pods; the last is at the late podding stage, applying more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in order to extend the podding period. 

4. Field management

1. Replanting and trellising

Direct seeding is used, without raising seedlings. If most have emerged and some have not, you can open the soil to check; most are likely rotted or eaten by insects, and can be reseeded. When the seedlings grow to 30 cm long, they need to be trellised so the plants grow upward, otherwise they will become tangled with the plants. For trellising, generally bamboo strips are used, with three bamboo strips per plant inserted into the soil at even angles, and the tops tied together with rope.

2. Adjust the structure

Because the branches and vines have strong sprouting ability, pruning must be done to ensure a good plant structure. During the flowering and podding period, leaf buds should be removed to avoid sprouting and competing for flower bud nutrients. Do not have too many new shoots. When the plant is vigorous, leave more side branches to set pods, and avoid excessive growth of side vines.

The basic contents of cowpea cultivation are seed selection, land selection, fertilization and watering. The key contents are trellising and pruning, maintaining good growth vigor, concentrating nutrients, and adjusting pod-bearing branches. These are all main management contents, and are also for making management more convenient.