Performance of cowpea varieties under zero tillage conditions in rice-wheat cropping system

The present experimentation was undertaken during pre-kharif season of 2013 and 2014 to study the varietal performance of cowpea in rice-wheat cropping system at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibai, Cooch Behar, West Bengal after harvesting of wheat under zero tillage conditions and before rice sowing. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications by using eighteen varieties of cowpea. The result of pooled data revealed that all the growth, yield parameters and quality parameters varied significantly with respect to different varieties of cowpea. The longest and lowest vine length was noticed in Lafa Sundari Bangla (112.10 cm) and VU-5 (32.64 cm), minimum and maximum days for flowering, first harvesting and last harvesting was recorded in Kaberee and Pusa Phalguni Gold. Variety Girija and Deshi Lafa produced longest pod (45.40 cm), highest individual pod weight (14.29 g). For number of pods per plant Triguna (31.07) was found highest which was statistically at par with Kanak (30.70), Kashi Kanchan (29.33). Maximum yield of 18.51 t/ha was obtained from Kashi Kanchan followed by Triguna (17.07 tonnes/ha) and Kanak (16.69 tonnes/ha). Lafa Sundari Bangala recorded with highest beta carotene content (1037 IU/100g fresh pod), ascorbic acid content (20.17 mg/100g fresh pod) as well as highest protein content of 4.69 per cent. Hence, it is concluded that the cowpea variety Kashi Kanchan, Triguna and Kanak may be recommended for commercial cultivation in rice-wheat cropping system under terai zone of West Bengal as they produced higher yield (34.52%, 24.06% and 21.29%, respectively) over the check variety Lafa Sundari Bangla.