Crop production in KwaZulu-Natal/Annotated Bibliography/Cowpea

Van Rij, N., 1999. Production of cowpeas in KwaZulu-Natal. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture Agri Update 1999/5. Republic of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg. PDF This two-page leaflet dicusses the production of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a multi-purpose crop that is indigenous to South Africa. The crop is heat tolerant and can produce seed yields of 1 t/ha and hay yields of 5 t/ha with as little as 300 mm rainfall. This legume fixes nitrogen effectively, and tolerates highly acid soils, but low soil phosphorus can limit yields. Several cultivars with different characteristics are available; plant populations of about 130 000 plants/ha are suitable for indeterminate varieties, whereas determinate varities can be planted in rows 45 cm apart at a population of 220 000 plants/ha. Good weed and insect management are usually necessary for high seed yields.

Van Rensburg, J., 1998. Maize-cowpea intercropping research at Impendle. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture Agri Update 1998/1. Republic of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg. PDF A short report on an on-farm research trial that investigated maize-cowpea intercropping on an acid, low-phosphorus soil at Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal. It highlights several issues relevant to smallholder cropping in the Highland Sourveld: the potential value of banding small amounts of agricultural limestone where farmers are unable to apply the recommended quantities of lime; the value of using the correct planting dates for maize; and the susceptability of cowpea to insect damage.