VBN 3: A new high yielding multiple disease resistant cowpea variety

Cowpea variety VBN 3 (VCP 09-013) is derived from TLS 38 x VCP 16-1. The average yield of VBN 3 is 1013 kg / ha. It is a 17.0 and 17.2 per cent yield increase over VBN 1 (866 kg/ha) and CO (CP) 7 (864 kg/ha), respectively. Duration is 75 – 80 days. It recorded the grain yield of 1148 kg/ha under the irrigated condition which is a 13.8 and 18.0 per cent yield increase over the check varieties VBN 1 (1009 kg/ha) and CO (CP) 7 (973 kg/ ha), respectively. In rainfed conditions, this variety recorded the seed yield of 1013 kg/ha. It is a 17.0 and 17.2 per cent yield increase over the check varieties VBN 1 (866 kg/ha) and CO (CP) 7 (864 kg/ha, respectively. It is having the special features of determinate plant type, synchronized maturity, multiple resistance to bean common mosaic virus, rust and anthracnose diseases. It is resistant to pod borer and pod bug. The cowpea VBN3 is having a protein content of 25.22 per cent. It recorded 100 grain weight of 13.0 g with preferable brown seed colour. It is suitable for cultivation during Rabi season (Purattasi pattam) in Tamil Nadu.