Performance of Cowpeas on an Inland Valley Swamp in the Dry Season in Sierra Leone

Abstract

Summary Three cowpea cultivars were grown in the dry season on an inland valley swamp. Rice straw was used to mulch the plots and all seeds were pelleted with nitramolybdenum before planting. Fertilization with N, P and Mo and cultivar differences affected pod production and seed yield, but differences in plant population or inoculation with Rhizobium did not affect nodule weight, pod no. m−2, pod weight or seed yield significantly. Seed yields of 0.91 t ha−1 from an improved cultivar and 0.83 t ha−1 from the local type were obtained. Even with heavy mulching there could be variations in seed yield in undeveloped inland valley swamps because of changes in microrelief.