Agronomic management of cowpea for high grain yield and sustainable agriculture in Western Indo-Gangetic Plain of India

Rice (Oryza sativa L.)‒wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major cropping system in western Indo-Gangetic Plain of India. This system is very exhaustive and there is a need to include a leguminous crop in this system for sustainable agriculture. Field experiments were conducted for two years to explore the possibility of growing cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] during March/April to June (the period available after harvesting of winter-season crops such as wheat and Brassica and before transplanting and sowing of rainy season crops) and the potential contribution of their crop residues for succeeding crops.