Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is one of the well-known
plants belonging to Fabaceae. Off-season cultivation of cowpea offers lucrative
market opportunities due to higher price premiums during lean supply periods.
However, it faces climatic constraints such as suboptimal winter temperatures,
fluctuating humidity and pest pressure, which adversely affect germination,
flowering and yield. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of smart
planting time and low tunnel covering techniques on the off-season yield and
profitability of cowpea cultivation. A field experiment was conducted during
the spring (rabi) seasons of 2022–23 and 2023–24 at the Agricultural Research
Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Tanchha. The experiment was laid out
in a Split-Plot Design with three replications. The main plot treatments
consisted of two glazing (covering) materials for low tunnels: UV stabilised
plastic film (50 µ), biodegradable plastic and an open field (control). The
sub-plot treatments comprised five sowing times: 3rd week of November, 4th week
of November, 1st week of December, 2nd week of December and 3rd week of
December. The cowpea variety AVCP-1 was used, sown at a spacing of 45 cm × 15
cm. Results indicated that both glazing material and sowing time significantly
influenced yield, while their interaction effects had non-significant effects.
Biodegradable plastic low tunnels recorded the highest pooled (collective)
yield (2.80 kg plot⁻¹), whereas the open field condition produced the lowest
(1.85 kg plot⁻¹). Among sowing times, the fourth week of November resulted in
the highest pooled (collective) yield (2.87 kg plot⁻¹) compared to the third
week of December (1.99 kg plot⁻¹). Economic analysis revealed that the
combination of biodegradable plastic low tunnel and sowing in the fourth week
of November achieved the highest net income (₹ 2,94,501 ha⁻¹), while the lowest
was recorded under the open field with the third week of December sowing (₹
66,505 ha⁻¹). These results confirm that biodegradable plastic low tunnels
combined with timely sowing in late November can substantially enhance both
yield and profitability of off-season cowpea under low tunnel conditions.
Hence, the strategic integration of microclimate-modifying structures with
optimally timed sowing is a proven approach to enhancing yield stability and
profitability across diverse agro-climatic zones.
Author(s) Details
Ankitkumar Gadhiya
Agricultural Research Station, NAU, Tanchha, India.
D. R. Bhanderi
Department of Vegetable Science, ASPEE College of Horticulture, NAU, Navsari,
India.
Y. N. Tandel
Department of Fruit Science, ASPEE College of Horticulture, NAU, Navsari,
India.
P. M. Sankhla
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, NAU, Bharuch, India.
Priyanka Patel
Polytechnic in Horticulture, NAU, Navsari, India.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v5/6484
No comments:
Post a Comment