EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) IN MADAGALI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Field trial was conducted at Shuwa town in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State during the 2024 rain fed cropping season to evaluate the performance of different varieties of cowpea. Five varieties were use viz: White Kanannado, Red Kanannado, Banjaram Beans, Black Eyed Bean and Red BOSADP laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three time. Data were collected on the following parameters: plant height, number of leaves, and number of branches, dry matter, crop growth rate, pod weight, 100 seed weight, gran yield and shelling percentage. Results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). Results revealed that variety has great influence on the performance of cowpea and the need to plant improved variety is very important. Significantly White Kanannado recorded the highest 100 seed weight, pod weight and grain yield while Banjaram Beans recorded least in all the parameters. Black eyed beans recorded the highest plant height, the highest number of leaves, highest number of branches and the highest shelling percent while the least plant height, number of leaves and number of branches were recorded by Banjaram Beans. Farmers in Magadali Local Government Area of Adamawa State should therefore adopt White Kanannado and Black eye beans for higher yield and for better utilization.