Cowpeas thrive in warm weather and are typically planted from spring to autumn, with multiple harvests after flowering. They are favored for their good taste, leading many people to cultivate them. The primary management tasks during the seedling stage of cowpeas include watering, monitoring seedling emergence, and fertilization. Let's delve into how to manage cowpeas during the seedling stage.
I. How to Manage Cowpeas During the Seedling Stage?
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Watering to Promote Emergence and Reduce Watering after Emergence:Cowpeas are relatively small during the seedling stage, and even just after germination, they require moist soil to facilitate germination. Therefore, the soil should be kept moist with water until emergence. After emergence, when cowpeas have developed roots, excessive watering is unnecessary as it may lead to root rot.
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Monitoring Seedling Emergence and Timely Replacement of Weak Seedlings:Before planting cowpeas, it is essential to select seeds. If there is a delay of three to four days in seedling emergence, the seeds may be defective. If there are only a few missing seedlings or if three to four seedlings are present in one hole and they are not weak, there is no need for replanting. However, if weak seedlings are present, they should be removed, and replacements should be made as necessary to avoid wasted space.
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Early Fertilization During Intercropping:In rural areas, many people intercrop cowpeas in dry fields such as cornfields without applying basal fertilizer during sowing. To promote healthy growth, early fertilization should be performed when cowpeas reach approximately 10 cm in height after emergence. During fertilization, the soil is usually dug open for application and covered afterward. If there are small weeds present, they should be removed simultaneously.
II. What Should Be Paid Attention to?
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Cowpeas in the seedling stage are delicate, and cotyledons that have not yet emerged from the soil may be susceptible to insect damage. Even after emergence, they are more prone to becoming weak seedlings. As cotyledons provide nutrients to the plant during the initial growth stage, it is essential to pay attention to these seedlings as they emerge (typically within 3-5 days in hot weather). If necessary, remove and replant them, and consider applying insecticide to the soil.
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Depending on natural rainfall or watering, cowpeas are usually planted in spring and summer. If watering is required, it is essential to keep the soil moist, especially in hot weather where soil moisture evaporates quickly. Dry and loose soil may cause the cowpeas to easily break through the soil surface, resulting in hatting, where the cotyledons encase the true leaves, inhibiting their normal growth and leading to weak seedlings.
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Spring and summer are the seasons for planting cowpeas, coinciding with the rainy season. For those not planting on ridges, proper field drainage management is necessary during the seedling stage to prevent root and stem rot due to waterlogging. Replanting later due to water damage can lead to uneven growth and additional hassle.
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When applying early fertilization, care should be taken not to disturb the cowpea seedlings. Organic fertilizer, preferably well-rotted poultry manure, is recommended for fertilization. It is not advisable to use liquid manure. Cowpeas in the seedling stage are slow-growing and require minimal water. Strict control of water is necessary to prevent stem base rot caused by low temperature and high humidity. Typically, after sowing, watering is sufficient until the bottom of the seedbed is wet. Before planting, no watering is needed. Cowpeas in the seedling stage have strong stress resistance and are easy to cultivate as long as temperature and humidity are controlled.
That concludes the discussion on managing cowpeas during the seedling stage. Cowpeas in the seedling stage grow slowly and require minimal watering. It's crucial to strictly control water levels to prevent stem base rot due to low temperatures and high humidity. As long as temperature and humidity are managed, cowpeas in the seedling stage can be easily cultivated.
