The growth and development of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)under tropical field conditions: 2. Accumulation and partition of dry weight

Abstract

The pattern of dry weight accumulation and partition of cowpea crops grown in Nigeria is described. For the first 50 days, increase in dry matter was proportional to intercepted radiation. Differences in dry weight between crops were due equally to variations in incident solar radiation, the fraction of this radiation intercepted, and the efficiency with which it was used. The variation in total pod weight from 206 to 312 g/m2 resulted from differences in number of pods, mean pod weight being constant. The pod weight ratio was relatively constant and there was a strong relationship between final number of pods and total plant dry weight.