|
Varietal response of four
cowpea cultivars (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
to different densities of guinea grass (Panicum maximum)
B. O. Obadoni, J. K.
Mensah* and L. O. Ikem
Department
of Botany, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State,
Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
mensahmensah@yahoo.com.
Accepted
26 March, 2009 |
|
Two field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to
evaluate the performance of four cowpea varieties to
different densities (0, 5, 20 and 35 m-2) of
guinea grass at the Experimental Garden of the Ambrose Alli
University, Ekpoma. The experimental design was a 4 x 4
factorial scheme. Weed densities did not significantly
(P>0.05) affect plant height at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after
planting (WAP) but the varieties did. However, the
interaction between weed densities and varieties was not
significant throughout the study. Dry matter yield by the
different cowpea varieties significantly (P<0.05) decreased
with increasing weed densities. There were significant
(P<0.05) differences among the varieties in terms of number
of days to 50% flowering while interactions between
varieties and weed densities were not significant. Number of
pods was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by varying weed
densities and varieties. Varying weed densities and
varieties significantly influenced cowpea yields.
Key
words:
Cowpea varieties, densities, guinea grass. |
