LONGITUDINAL SPACING AND YIELD OF COWPEA SOWN WITH MANUAL SEED DRILL

Abstract

The use of manual traction seeders in small farms has technical and economic feasibility, but few studies are carried out with this sowing technology for cowpea, which is one of the main crops in the Cariri region of Ceará. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal spacing and yield of cowpea as a function of speed and working depth of a manual seeder. The study was conducted at the Center for Agricultural Sciences and Biodiversity, Federal University of Cariri, Crato-CE, located in the region of Cariri, Ceará. The experiment was arranged in a 2x3 factorial randomized block design, with four replications, totaling 24 observations. The first factor was two sowing depths (Shallow and Deep); and the second factor the displacement speed (2.15; 3.90; and 4.71 km h-1). The initial and final population, survival rate, longitudinal spacing, number of pods per plant, number of beans per pod, bean yield at 11% moisture, and green pod yield were analyzed. The results showed higher values of faulty spacings and lower values of acceptable spacings by using the shallow depth and the higher speeds, with consequent reduction in the final population. However, as cowpea produced side branches and increased production per plant, the yield results were not influenced by depth and working speed.