Response of Selected Cowpea Varieties (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to Organo-mineral Fertilization

Abstract

Soil nutrient depletion is a major constraint limiting agricultural productivity in Burkina Faso. This study aims to evaluate the response of two cowpea varieties (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to various organo-mineral fertilization levels. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used to compare two varieties (Komcallé and Niizwè) under four fertilization treatments: a control with no input (F0), NPK at 100 kg/ha (F1), jatropha compost at 2,500 kg/ha (F2), and a combination of NPK (50 kg/ha) + jatropha compost (2,500 kg/ha) (F3). Ten agromorphological traits were evaluated. The results indicate that fertilization, when considered alone, did not significantly influence the measured variables. In contrast, a significant varietal effect (P < 0.05) was observed across all parameters. Furthermore, the variety × fertilization interaction revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) for all studied traits. The Komcallé variety achieved its best grain yield (1,833.07 ± 45.31 kg/ha) under the combined F3 treatment (NPK + jatropha compost). For the Niizwè variety, the highest yields were recorded in the F0 control (1,125.97 ± 17.50 kg/ha), followed by the F2 treatment with jatropha compost alone (1,073.81 ± 20.09 kg/ha). Combining NPK fertilizer and jatropha compost with high-potential genetic varieties appears to be a promising pathway for improving cowpea performance over the medium to long term. Adopting such organo-mineral amendments could contribute to the sustainable intensification of cowpea production within smallholder farming systems.