PHYTOMETRY OF COWPEA CULTIVARS USING ORGANIC SUBSTRATES

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) stands out for its nutritional value and adaptability to different environmental conditions, and is widely cultivated in tropical regions. This study evaluated the development of two cowpea cultivars (BRS Imponente and BRS Tracuateua Purified) under different organic substrates, in order to understand the effects of organic fertilization on biomass production and root development. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), using a completely randomized design with four types of organic fertilization (control, açaí seed, sheep manure and Brazil nut shell). The results showed that the substrate based on açaí seeds favored the development of the cultivars, providing greater production of green mass and greater accumulation of root biomass, especially for BRS Imponente. On the other hand, sheep manure was less efficient for both cultivars. BRS Tracuateua showed greater adaptability to conditions of lower nutritional availability, while BRS Imponente showed better response to substrates richer in organic matter. It is concluded that the choice of substrate significantly influences the performance of the cultivars, and the açaí seed is a promising alternative for the sustainable cultivation of cowpea.