Performance of Eight Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Cultivars on an Oxisol in Northwestern Puerto Rico

Abstract

Eight cowpea cultivars were evaluated for three years on the basis of yield and adaptability to the climatic conditions prevailing in northwestern Puerto Rico. Tests were conducted on a Coto clay (Oxisol) at the Isabela Substation, Puerto Rico. The cultivars tested were the brown-colored B 54; the black "eye" peas Pequeño, Costa Rica and Frijol Gordo; the black cowpea Centa 105; and the cream-colored cultivars Climax, Sin Fibra and Zipper Cream. Maximum mean adjusted yield of 2197 kg/ha over three crops, were obtained from cv. B 54. The black "eye" pea cvs. Pequeño, Costa Rica and Frijol Gordo yielded 2066, 1960, and 1743 kg/ha, respectively. Cv. Centa 105 yielded 1583 kg/ha. The cream-colored cvs. Climax, Sin Fibra and Zipper Cream yielded 1479, 1427, and 1829 kg/ha, respectively. The largest and heaviest individual seed was obtained from cv. B 54, while those of cv. Climax were the smallest. The largest number of pods per plants were obtained from cvs. Pequeño, Frijol Gordo, and Costa Rica while the least number of pods per plant were obtained from cvs. Sin Fibra, Zipper Cream and Climax. Cv. Sin Fibra produced the largest number of grains per pod. All cultivars seem to have good adaptability under the conditions prevailing in northwestern Puerto Rico.