Origin of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet, commonly known as wild cowpea, is a subspecies of the Vigna unguiculata species. This plant is a member of the Fabaceae family and is native to Africa, where it is widely distributed in several countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Common Names
In addition to being called wild cowpea, this plant is known by several other names, depending on the country and language. In Kiswahili, it is called kunde mwitu or ndengu mwitu, while in Zimbabwe, it is known as nyemba dzepafigwe. Some other common names include wild vigna, African cowpea, and nevzuyu (in Shona).
Uses of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet is a valuable plant with several uses. In many African countries, the leaves, pods, and seeds of this plant are consumed as food. They are cooked and used in stews, soups, and other dishes. The leaves and pods are rich in nutrients, including vitamins A and C and iron. The seeds are a good source of protein, fiber, and some minerals.
Aside from being used as food, wild cowpea has several other benefits. The plant is an important source of forage for livestock, particularly in areas where pasture is limited. As a leguminous plant, it is also capable of fixing nitrogen in the soil, which helps to improve soil fertility. Additionally, some parts of the plant have medicinal properties and are used to treat various ailments.
General Appearance
Wild cowpea is a semi-erect or trailing annual plant that can grow up to 2 meters tall. It has a deep taproot and several lateral roots that help it to absorb nutrients and moisture from the soil. The plant has several branches that bear leaves and flowers. The leaves are trifoliate, with each leaflet being oval-shaped and about 2-8 cm long. The plant produces small, cream-colored flowers that are followed by pods. The pods are about 10-15 cm long, and each pod contains 6-9 seeds. The seeds are kidney-shaped and can be brown, white, or black in color, depending on the variety.
Light Requirements
Vigna unguiculata var. spontanea requires full sunlight to grow. The plant requires at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight to develop optimally. Lack of sufficient light can lead to poor growth and flowering.
Temperature Requirements
Vigna unguiculata var. spontanea thrives in warm temperatures. The ideal temperature range for growth is between 25°C to 35°C. The plant cannot tolerate frost and grows poorly in temperatures below 15°C.
Soil Requirements
The plant grows best in well-drained sandy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.6. The soil should be rich in organic matter and have good water retention capacity. The plant is adapted to soils with low fertility, but it can benefit from fertilization with phosphatic and potassic fertilizers.
Cultivation methods:
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet, also known as the wild cowpea, is a hardy annual plant that is drought-tolerant and can grow in various soil types. To cultivate this plant, it is important to prepare the soil by removing weeds and rocks and adding organic matter to improve soil fertility. Seeds can be sown either directly in the soil or in containers. As this plant is a climbing vine, it is important to provide support for the plant to climb.
Watering needs:
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet is drought-tolerant, but it needs sufficient water during the growing season to produce a good harvest. The plant requires moderate watering, typically once a week, but the frequency and amount of watering will depend on the soil type and weather conditions. It is important to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Fertilization:
To maintain healthy growth and optimal yield, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet requires regular fertilization. A balanced fertilizer with a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 NPK ratio is suitable for this plant. Fertilizer can be applied every three to four weeks during the growing season. It is important not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive vegetative growth and poor fruit production.
Pruning:
Pruning is an essential part of caring for Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet. Pruning helps to improve plant structure, reduce overgrowth, and increase fruit production. This plant does not require extensive pruning, and only the damaged and diseased parts of the plant need to be removed. Additionally, it is important to train the vine to climb properly to ensure adequate support and prevent damage to the plant.
Propagation of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet, commonly known as the cowpea, is a leguminous plant cultivated for its edible seeds. It is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where it is used for food and fodder. The plant can be propagated through various methods such as seeds, cuttings, and grafting.
Propagation through seeds
Seeds are the simplest and most common method of propagating Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet. The seeds are sown directly into the soil or in containers filled with a well-draining potting mix. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged. The seeds can also be pre-soaked in water for 24 hours before planting to improve germination rates.
The seeds usually germinate within 5-10 days, and the seedlings can be transplanted outdoors or into larger containers once they have developed two to three true leaves. It is important to protect the young seedlings from pests and extreme weather conditions.
Propagation through cuttings
Propagation through cuttings is another method of propagating Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet. The cuttings should be taken from healthy plants, and they should be at least 15cm long and have a few leaves. The lower leaves should be removed, and the stem should be dipped in rooting hormone before planting in a well-draining potting mix.
The cuttings should be kept in a warm, humid environment and watered regularly until they have rooted. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the soil.
Propagation through grafting
Grafting is a more advanced method of propagating Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet. This method involves joining a scion (a shoot or bud) from a desired variety onto a rootstock of a different but compatible variety.
The scion is usually taken from a plant with desirable traits such as better yield or disease resistance. It is then joined to the rootstock using a grafting tool and secured in place with grafting tape or wax. The grafted plant should be kept in a warm, humid environment until it has healed, and the scion has started growing.
Grafting is a useful method for growers looking to propagate disease-resistant or high-yielding varieties onto hardier rootstocks.
Disease Management
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet is susceptible to a variety of diseases, which can cause significant damage to the plant and reduce yield. Here are some common diseases that might affect the plant:
- Bacterial blight: This disease is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola and causes angular leaf spots, stem cankers, and pod rot. To manage this disease, remove infected plant debris and use copper-based fungicides.
- Bean common mosaic virus: This virus causes mottling and yellowing of leaves, stunting of the plant, and reduced yield. The virus is transmitted by aphids and infected seed. To manage this disease, plant resistant varieties and control aphids.
- Root rot: This disease is caused by the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani, and causes yellowing and wilting of leaves, stunted growth, and root decay. To manage this disease, improve soil drainage, use fungicides, and rotate crops.
Pest Management
Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. spontanea (Schweinf.) Pasquet is also susceptible to a variety of pests that can cause significant damage to the plant. Here are some common pests that might affect the plant:
- Aphids: These small insects feed on the sap of the plant and can transmit viruses. To manage aphids, introduce natural enemies such as ladybugs and lacewings, or use insecticidal soap.
- Cutworms: These caterpillars cut the stems of young plants at ground level. To manage cutworms, use collars around the base of the plants, or use insecticides.
- Spider mites: These tiny pests suck the sap from the plant, causing yellowing and wilting of leaves. To manage spider mites, use insecticidal soap or miticides, or introduce natural enemies such as predatory mites.
