Nutrient management
Apply FYM 20 t/ha. NPK 20:30:10 kg/ha. Lime : 250kg/ha or dolomite 400kg/ ha. Lime may be applied at the time of the first ploughing. Half the quantity of N, whole of phosphorus and potash may be applied at the time of final ploughing. The remaining N may be applied 15-20 days after sowing.
[Note: For vegetable cowpea grown as an intercrop in the reclaimed alluvial soils of Kuttanad, N:P:K @ 10: 20: 10 kg/ha are recommended. For vegetable cowpea, fertilizers can be applied in several split doses at fortnightly intervals]
Aftercultivation
Hoeing at the time of application of application of second dose of nitrogen will give adequate aeration to the soil and help the root system to spread easily. Grain & dual purpose varieties, decapitation is found to be advantageous as the crop shows trailing tendency. For vegetable types, provide trellis or pandals for trailing. Application of Planofix @ 3-6 ml in 10 litres water one month after sowing will improve the yield. Approximately 2.5litre solution is required for one cent. Repeat the application 2 months after sowing. Excessive vegetative growth is a problem in some of the varieties. Withhold irrigation and apply Potash to induce flowering.
Irrigation
Giving two irrigations is highly beneficial, ie: at 15 days after sowing & at the time of flowering. Irrigation at the flowering stage induces better flowering and pod set.