Production and quality of cowpea seeds as a function of molybdenum doses and plant population

Abstract

The plant population density and fertilization with micronutrients directly influence the cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. performance, depending on the growing conditions, the morphological and physiological characteristics, and productive capacity of the cultivars thus affecting the quality of seeds. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of doses of molybdenum and plant density on the yield and quality of cowpea seeds, cultivar BRS Novaera. Randomized block design with four replications was used, with the treatments being 4 x 4 factorial, involving four molybdenum rates applied to seeds (0, 40, 80 and 120 g.ha^-1) and four population densities (100, 160, 220 and 280 thousand plants.ha^-1). After harvesting, productivity was determined, and the seeds were submitted to the following evaluations: moisture content, mass of one thousand seeds, germination, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, length and dry mass of shoot. The application of molybdenum to seeds did not affect production and the quality of the seeds. However, the increase in plant population density led to significant increases in productivity and mass of a thousand seeds.