Evaluation of the Agromet Indices Impact on Cowpea Crop at Khurdha District of Odisha, India

At the ICAR-IIWM research farm in Odisha, a study was carried out during the rabi season to assess the effects of agromet indices on the cowpea variety Kashi uttam during the two growth seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20. Different growing seasons and a delay in sowing had a significant impact on the length of phenological stages and accumulation of agro-climatic indices (Growing Degree Days, Photothermal Units, and Heliothermal Units). The findings showed that distinct growth phases at the second growing season were responsible for the greater GDD and PTU. However, the decrease in HTU during the second growing season showed that the crop required fewer heat units as a result of the second growth season's considerably lower number of sunshine hours. Among the seasons and sowing dates, the meteorological indices accretion was perceived in 2nd growing season as compared to 1st growing season crop. Second season crop had sown earlier and get highest heat use efficiency.