Performance of selected cowpea (vigna unguiculata (l.) walp) varieties in different soil types in Singida District, Tanzania

Abstract

A participatory research was conducted in Singida District central Tanzania under Singida Nutrition and Agro ecological Project (SNAP), during the 2016/2017 cropping season to evaluate the performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties in different soil types. Four improved cowpea varieties; Tumaini, Fahari, Vuli-AR-I, Vuli-II and one local cowpea variety sourced from farmers in the study area were used. “Mother-baby trial” approach was used whereby a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experiment with three (3) replications was set in four different soil types; sandy loam, sandy clay, sandy clay loam and loamy sand as a mother trial. Twenty eight (28) farmers from three villages (Iddisimba, Merya and Msikii) were selected for the “baby trials”. In the “mother trial” planting was done on 04th February 2017, with inter and intra-row spacing of 75 cm and 20 cm respectively for the bush type Tumaini, Fahari, and local varieties: while the determinate varieties Vuli-AR-I and Vuli-II were sown at spacing of 50 cm between rows and 20 cm within rows. The growth parameters were recorded in the 9 th week after seedling emergences and yield parameters at harvest. The results showed significance difference (P<0.05) on growth parameters and yield parameters. Generally, the improved varieties performed better than the local variety in both mother and baby trials although yields were less in baby trial compared to mother trial. Vuli AR-I performed better in all types of soil, Tumaini in sandy loam, Vuli-II and Vuli AR-I in sandy loam, sandy clay and sandy clay loam. In “baby trial” Tumaini in Iddisimba and Msikii village and Fahari variety in Merya village. The results therefore portray a differential performance of the varieties based on soil types and the study highlights the need for recommending these varieties based on the soil types.A participatory research was conducted in Singida District central Tanzania under Singida Nutrition and Agro ecological Project (SNAP), during the 2016/2017 cropping season to evaluate the performance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties in different soil types. Four improved cowpea varieties; Tumaini, Fahari, Vuli-AR-I, Vuli-II and one local cowpea variety sourced from farmers in the study area were used. “Mother-baby trial” approach was used whereby a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experiment with three (3) replications was set in four different soil types; sandy loam, sandy clay, sandy clay loam and loamy sand as a mother trial. Twenty eight (28) farmers from three villages (Iddisimba, Merya and Msikii) were selected for the “baby trials”. In the “mother trial” planting was done on 04th February 2017, with inter and intra-row spacing of 75 cm and 20 cm respectively for the bush type Tumaini, Fahari, and local varieties: while the determinate varieties Vuli-AR-I and Vuli-II were sown at spacing of 50 cm between rows and 20 cm within rows. The growth parameters were recorded in the 9 th week after seedling emergences and yield parameters at harvest. The results showed significance difference (P<0.05) on growth parameters and yield parameters. Generally, the improved varieties performed better than the local variety in both mother and baby trials although yields were less in baby trial compared to mother trial. Vuli AR-I performed better in all types of soil, Tumaini in sandy loam, Vuli-II and Vuli AR-I in sandy loam, sandy clay and sandy clay loam. In “baby trial” Tumaini in Iddisimba and Msikii village and Fahari variety in Merya village. The results therefore portray a differential performance of the varieties based on soil types and the study highlights the need for recommending these varieties based on the soil types.