‘Swat Kulat-2’ A High Yielding and Spreading Type Cowpea Variety for Rainfed Areas of Malakand Division

Abstract

Studies were carried out on cowpea variety Swat Kulat-2 (SK-2) at the Agriculture Research Institute (N) Mingora, Swat during the year 2003-04 to record variety registration data on cowpea variety “Swat Kulat-2” which is high and stable yielding, well-adapted and spreading type variety especially for rainfed areas of Malakand division. This variety has later on been approved by the Provincial Seed Council and released for general cultivation by the farmers of Malakand division. Swat Kulat-2 is a high yielding variety for rainfed areas than the existing local varieties grown in Malakand division. It covers the ground with its dense foliage and preserves the moisture for a longer period. The grain size is medium with pale color. The variety is late maturing with spreading growth habit having plant height of 150-170 cm. The variety has been tested on research Institute as well as farmer’s fields and found to be highly resistant to shattering and diseases. The yield and yield components data recorded on Swat Kulat-2 in the present study also justify that it is among one of a high yielding varieties in this area.