Author(s): M.O.A. Warrag
Article publication date: 1988-12-01
Vol. 6 No. 3 (yearly), pp. 349-358.
192
Keywords
field trials, seeds, cowpea, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Pot and field trials were conducted during 1986 and 1987 growing seasons, respectively, to examine the factors responsible for the reduction in seed yield of cowpea which usually occurs for late planting dates in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Cowpea cv CBS was used in this study. The highest seed yield was attained from March planting date and decreased progressively with late planting. This reduction was the result of low number of flowers and low pod set. Reductions in number of seeds per pod and set was attributed to lack of fertilization which resulted from male sterility. Male sterility was caused by anther in dehiscence and low pollen viability. These adverse effects appeared to be associated with the higher temperatures which were found at later planning dates.