The extreme variability of the species has led to a number of commercial cultivars grouped by the variance in bean shape, size and color.
- Black-eyed or pink-eyed/purple hull peas —
the seeds are white with a black eye round the
hilum. The “eye” can be other colors, pink,
purple or shades of red being common. Upon
drying, the eye color darkens to a dark purple.
The pods are purple-like on the
pink-eyed/purple hull type. The seeds are not
tightly packed or crowded in the pod and are
kidney or oblong in shape.
- Brown-eyed peas — pods range in color from
green to lavender and also in length. The
immature seeds, when cooked, are a medium
to dark brown, very tender and have a delicate
flavor.
- Crowder peas — seeds are black, speckled,
and brown or brown-eyed. The seeds are
“crowded” in the pod and also tend to be
globular in shape.
- Cream — seeds are cream colored and not
crowded in the pods. This is an intermediate
between black-eyed and crowder types.
- White acre type — seeds are kidney shaped
with a blunt end, semi-crowded and generally
tan in color. Pods are stiff with small seeds.
- Clay types — these older varieties are
medium to dark brown in color and kidney
shaped, but are rarely grown.
- Forage cultivars — adapted for use as fodder,
or cover crop use.
A number of varieties have been tested in mid-Missouri, with the better varieties ranging in yield from 1,400 to 1,800 pounds per acre full season, and 800 to 1,500 pounds per acre double cropped.
“Coronet”, a pink-eyed/purple hull type, has been the variety most commonly grown in the southeast Missouri. Choice of market class, and approach to narrow or wide rows can affect which variety tochoose. Contact the Jefferson Institute (573-449-3518) for a complete list of seed sources and recommended varieties.
Planting
For optimum yield, cowpeas should be planted in early June in Missouri, although planting dates from late-May through mid-June are appropriate. A seeding rate of 50 pounds per acre is recommended and the field type seed cost is typically $0.35/pound. Plant populations in wide rows should be similar to soybeans, about 4 to 8 plants per foot of row. Field trials were done in Missouri on 30 inch row spacings, and the vine type varieties filled in the row well. The determinate, bush types may yield better on closer row spacing. The seed should be planted similar to soybeans, at 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep.
