Impact of Seed Size on Germination, Seedling Vigor, and Quality Traits in Fodder Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Varieties

A study was conducted to investigate how seed size affects germination and vigor of cowpea seeds. The differences due to vigour parameters of graded seeds were significant due to varieties cv. Bundel Lobia-1 showed better vigour than cv. UPC-607. Variety Bundel Lobia-1 recorded significantly higher seed weight (102.6 g) than variety UPC-607 (92.1 g). There was a significant difference between seed grades, large seeds having significantly more than 1000 seed weight (118.3 g) followed by ungraded seeds (107.2 g), medium seeds (97.1 g) and small seeds (66.8 g), respectively. Interaction Cv- Bundel Lobia-1 (93.0%) recorded a significantly superior germination percentage over cv. UPC-607 (86.48 %). However, the differences were non- significant due to seed sizes, large seeds (91.03%) recorded more germination percentage followed by medium seeds (90.34%), ungraded seeds (89.44%) and small seeds (88.16%) respectively.