Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), belonging to the family
Fabaceae is one of the most important food legume crops in
the semi arid regions. As a drought tolerant and warm weather
crop, cowpea is well-adapted to the drier regions of the tropics,
where other food legumes do not perform well. The importance
of this plant is related to its leaves and seeds which are edible for
their protein quality (Borget, 1989). Coupled with these attributes,
its quick growth and rapid ground cover, checks soil erosion and
in situ decay of its roots and nitrogen rich residues improve soil