Cowpeas Management in Farm

AGRICULTURE
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Introduction
This particular paper seeks to highlight cowpeas management in the proposed farm while
addressing the specific requirements and conditions which are favorable.
Farm Description
This particular farm is located on gentle slopes which allows. The farm has been portioned into
paddocks which allows for the crop rotation to be carried out seasonally.
Environmental Requirements
Climatic conditions
Cowpea is usually adapted to very high temperatures within the range of 20 degrees Celsius to
35 degrees Celsius. The crop does not thrive well under the flooded conditions. The crops grow
under a wide range of the moisture value and upon establishment, it is fairly tolerant to the
drought. It can give good yield under marginal rainfall(Masvaya et al 2017). The base
temperature for its germination to be effective should be at 8.5 degrees. The leaf growth of the
same plant is basically 20 degrees. In general, this kind of crop is one of the commonly known
heat-loving as well as drought-resistant crops. The optimum temperature of this particular crop is
averagely 3o degrees. The varieties of this particular crop will practically differ in their response
to day length with the insensitive ones flowering within 30 days after the process of sowing
Production of the plant in the commercial Setting
Field layout

In commercial production, the length of the field for cowpea planting should strictly follow the
land contour. There should be the construction of the ridges along the contours(Boukar et al
2015). This will be important as it helps in minimizing the soil erosion as well as moisture
content conservation.
Style of crop management
First style
Pure strand planting
Most cowpeas are interns own as pure stands to support large scale production. The planting on
the relatively gentle land allows for the mechanization of the production exercise. Growing of
the cowpeas as pure strand does not only contribute to large scale production but also contribute
to the quality of the seeds.
Second style
Intercropping
Intercropping is done with other crops including maize. Also, large scale production can be
supported in the cases where stalks of maize are left to continue providing support at a height of
1.5m.
Spacing
Commercial production of the cowpeas is supported by having a spacing of 30cm X 40cm in the
case of the the off-season.For the case of the early and erect variety 40cm X 50cm will be best
preferred. In the case of the late spreading varieties, the spacing of 50cm X 75cm will be