Morpho-agronomic characteristics of cowpea under different environments and planting densities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and production components of cowpea ‘BRS Nova Era’ under different planting densities in two growing conditions. The experiment followed an experimental design of randomised blocks, which comprised two environments (Pesqueira and Lajedos cities, Brazil) and five planting densities (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 plants m-1). In Pesqueira, all production components were influenced by planting density except for plant height. In Lajedo, all production components were influenced by planting density. Productivity per total area was 74.25 and 58.33% higher at a density of six plants m-1 compared to the highest density for both Pesqueira and Lajedos, respectively. The growth of cowpea under edapho-climatic conditions of Lajedos resulted in better development and productivity than in Pesqueira. Therefore, under the conditions of our study, different planting densities of the cowpea promote changes in production components and productivity, with better results obtained at a density of 6 plants m-1. Key words: Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, spatial arrangements, growth, production components, productivity.