Cowpea is an annual herbaceous legume and is also known as Black Eyed Bean, Asparagus Bean, Cream Pea and Southern Pea.

In India it is cultivated mainly in arid and semi-arid regions.

The major Cowpea growing states are Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, U.P, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Vigna
• Species: unguiculata

• Seeds are the most economically important part of Cowpea
• Green leaves can be used as fodder for animals.

Cowpea is a warm weather and semi arid crop, growing well in temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C.

Minimum temperature for seed establishment is 20°C and above 32°C temperatures development of roots cease.

It can grow successfully in acidic soil but not in saline/alkaline soil.

Cowpea is well-drained Sandy loam soil or Sandy soil with a soil pH in the range of 6 to 7, although its sensitive to water-logging conditions.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pesst: Aphids, Armyworms, Corn Earworm and Mexican Beetle
  • Major Diseases: Anthracnose, Ascochyta blight, Brown Rust, Cercospora Leaf Spot and Charcoal Rot.
• Abiotic Causes
  • Chlorosis
  • Browning
  • Drought Injury
  • Necrosis