Response of cowpea to npks and zn fertilization

Abstract

A two years field study was carried out at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong during the rabi season of 1989-90 and 1990-91 to determine the response of cowpea at different levels of fertilizers and to find out optimum doses of fertilizers for cowpea (cv. Hathazari local). Results showed significant influence of fertilizers on plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod and 1000 seeds weight as well as on seed yield. Nitrogen and phosphorus were more effective in increasing the yield compared to other elements. Potassium and sulphur increased cowpea yield significantly upto 30 and 20 kg/ha, respectively. Effect of zinc was not very pronounced. Highest yield (pooled data) of 1327 kg/ha (211% increase over control) was obtained with N2oP6oK3oS20Zn5 kg/ha treatment. Higher N-rate enhanced vegetative growth, but failed to increase grain yield.