Vigna incana Taub.
Vigna incana Taub. is a climbing herbaceous plant species that belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is also known as the hairy cowpea, wild bean, wild vigna, and Ceylon bean. It is native to tropical Africa and Madagascar and can be found in Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Appearance
The Vigna incana plant has slender stems that grow up to 2 meters long and are covered with soft brown hairs. The leaves are pinnately compound, with three leaflets that are ovate, cordate, and up to 8 cm long. The flowers are small, white, and grow in clusters on long stalks. The fruit is a long, slender, and cylindrical pod that can grow up to 20 cm long, containing six to ten seeds.
Uses
The Vigna incana plant is primarily used for edible purposes. The seeds can be cooked and consumed like beans, providing a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are often used in stews, soups, and salads. The plant also has medicinal properties, as the roots and leaves contain compounds that are used to treat various ailments such as fever, stomach problems, and skin diseases. Additionally, the plant is used for erosion control, as its strong roots help prevent soil erosion.
In summary, Vigna incana Taub. is a climbing herbaceous plant species that is native to tropical Africa. It has slender stems covered with soft brown hairs, pinnately compound leaves, small white flowers, and long and slender cylindrical pods. The plant is primarily used for edible purposes, as the seeds are consumed like beans, and it also has medicinal properties.
Light Requirements
Vigna incana Taub. requires abundant sunlight for growth, preferably full sun exposure with a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. Plants grown in partial shade may fail to thrive and produce less yield.
Temperature Requirements
The plant prefers warm temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F) throughout the growing season. It cannot survive temperatures below 15°C (59°F) and may experience stunted growth, slow germination, or even death as a result.
Soil Requirements
Vigna incana Taub. is highly adaptable to different types of soil but prefers well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7. It can tolerate drought conditions but grows optimally in moderately moist soil. The plant requires moderate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for healthy growth.
Cultivation Methods
Vigna incana Taub. is a legume crop that requires warm temperatures for optimal growth. The crop prefers moist, well-drained soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. It can be grown in a variety of soil types, including sandy loam, loam, and clay loam soils. The crop is typically sown directly into the field, and its seeds need to be planted to a depth of 1-2 cm. It is recommended to plant the crop in rows with a spacing of 45-60 cm between the rows.
Watering Needs
The Vigna incana Taub. requires moderate watering to grow and thrive. The crop needs to be well-watered during the germination stage, and the soil should be kept moist until the plants establish. After the establishment of plants, the crop should be watered regularly to maintain soil moisture. The frequency of watering can be reduced during the flowering and podding stages to avoid waterlogging and fungal disease development.
Fertilization
Vigna incana Taub. is a legume crop capable of fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere. However, it still needs additional nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium to achieve optimal yield. A soil test is needed to determine the soil's nutrient status and identify the necessary fertilizer to apply. Generally, a balanced fertilizer should be applied before planting and during flowering with a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio of 15:15:15.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for Vigna incana Taub. since it is a self-supporting plant with an upright growth habit. However, removing the lower branches smaller than the neighbouring branches in terms of size can increase the yield. This process allows for better airflow around the plant, which can reduce the incidence of diseases and increase the quality of the pods. Diseased and damaged branches should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent further spread to healthy branches.
Propagation of Vigna incana Taub.
Vigna incana Taub. is a plant that can be propagated by different methods including:
Seed propagation
The most commonly used method of propagation for Vigna incana Taub. is through seed. The seeds of Vigna incana Taub. can be collected from the mature pods. The seeds should be properly cleaned, and any broken or damaged seeds should be discarded. The cleaned seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours before sowing.
The seeds are sown in pots filled with a well-draining soil mix. The pots should be kept in a warm and moist environment. The seedlings typically emerge in about 7-10 days. Once the seedlings have grown to a suitable size, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the ground.
Cuttings propagation
Another method of propagation for Vigna incana Taub. is through stem cuttings. The stem cuttings should be taken from healthy and mature plants. The cuttings should be around 5-7 cm in length and should be taken from the tip of the stem. The leaves on the lower half of the stem should be removed.
The cuttings are planted in a well-draining soil mix in pots or directly in the ground. They should be kept in a warm and moist environment until the roots develop. It typically takes around 3-4 weeks for the roots to develop.
Layering propagation
Vigna incana Taub. can also be propagated through layering. This method involves burying a section of a stem underground and allowing it to root before separating it from the parent plant. A section of the stem with a node is bent downwards to touch the soil, and a small trench is dug underneath the node. The node should be covered with soil, leaving the tip of the stem exposed.
The soil should be kept moist until roots develop from the node. Once the roots have developed, the stem can be cut from the parent plant and transplanted into a pot or directly into the ground.
Overall, Vigna incana Taub. can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or layering. However, seed propagation is the most common method used for this plant.
Disease and Pest Management for Vigna incana Taub.
Vigna incana Taub., also known as the hairy cowpea, is a legume grown for its edible seeds. The plant is susceptible to several diseases and pests that can cause significant damage if not managed properly.
Common Diseases
Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum destructivum, is a common disease that affects the plant, causing leaf spots, stem cankers, and pod rot. To manage anthracnose, remove infected plant parts, avoid planting in areas with a history of the disease, and apply fungicides according to label instructions.
Rust, caused by the fungus Uromyces vignae, is another disease that affects Vigna incana Taub. Rust appears as yellow-orange powdery spores on the undersides of leaves and can lead to defoliation and reduced yields. To manage rust, remove infected plant parts, plant resistant cultivars if available, and apply fungicides according to label instructions.
Common Pests
The cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora, is a common pest that feeds on the plant's sap, leading to stunted growth, yellowing, and reduced yields. To manage cowpea aphids, use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils, plant resistant cultivars if available, and practice crop rotation to reduce overwintering populations.
The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, is another pest that affects Vigna incana Taub., causing damage to the plant's pods and flowers. To manage legume pod borers, remove and destroy infected pods, use pheromone traps to monitor populations, plant resistant cultivars if available, and apply insecticides according to label instructions.
