Cowpeas (cowpea). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Cowpeas (cowpea). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Cowpea (Vigna), Vigna sinensis. Legends, myths, symbolism, Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Cowpea (Cowpea)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Vineyard

Family: Legumes (Fabaceae)

Origin: Africa, but widespread throughout the world

Area: Vigna is found in the tropics and subtropics, especially in Asia and Africa

Chemical composition: Vigna is rich in proteins, also contains carbohydrates, fatty acids, B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Economic value: Cowpea is widely used in the food industry as a source of protein, especially in regions where meat availability is low. It is also used as livestock feed and as a green manure to improve soil fertility. In landscape design, cowpea is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its beautiful foliage and flowers.

Legends, myths, symbolism: One of the legends says that cowpeas were created by the god of the sun, who inspired him with his strength and vitality. The sun god asked cowpeas to help people maintain their health and eat right. In some myths, cowpeas are considered a symbol of health, nutrition and well-being. Other myths say that this plant has magical properties that can attract good luck and protect against evil. Cowpeas have many symbolic meanings. In many cultures, this plant is considered a symbol of nutrition, wealth and prosperity. It also symbolizes fertility, growth and prosperity.

Cowpea (Vigna), Vigna sinensis. Description, illustrations of the plant

Cowpea (Cowpea), Vigna sinensis (Stickm.) Endl. Classification, synonyms, botanical description, nutritional value, cultivation

Cowpea (Cowpea)

Synonyms V. sesquipedalis (L.) Wight., V. Catang Walpers.

French names. dolique mongette, banette, haricot cornielie; English dolichos unguicularus, white blackeyed bean; German Ostindische Spragel-Bohne or Faseole; Swede, hyacinthbona; it. fagiuolo dallocchio; Spanish caragilate, garrubia, monchota; Polish fasola szpargowa olbrzymia zwana Jaski.

The plant is an annual, with a high (20 - 200 cm) stem, curly top or creeping. Leaves trifoliate; flower stalks are long, located in the axils of the leaves, directed upwards, with 2 - 8 flowers.

Pods are cylindrical, with constrictions, 7-8 cm long. Seeds of various sizes (the weight of 1000 seeds ranges from 58 to 370 g) and various colors.

White seeded forms of cowpeas are used for food. The seeds contain 24-28% protein, 48-56% starch and 1,5% oil.

The plant is thermophilic and dies from the slightest frost. All types of soil are suitable for its cultivation, but subject to good drainage. Sow cowpeas before the last spring frosts pass, so that the frosts pass until the seeds sprout.

Cowpea (Cowpea)

The sowing method is ordinary, it recommends a distance between rows of 90 cm and in rows of 5-7,5 cm. With this method of sowing seeds, 33-44 kg / ha are needed.

There are special asparagus varieties of cowpeas that use underdeveloped beans (shoulder blade).

These asparagus forms are sometimes classified as Vigna sesquipedalis Wight., or Dolichos sesquipedalis Linne.

Their beans reach 45-60 cm in length.

Such plants are more convenient to grow in code culture or on trellises. In the Congo, the species Vigna triloba Walpers is cultivated by the local population, the beans and seeds of which are used as food there.

Author Ipatiev A.N.

Cowpea (Vigna), Vigna unquiculata. Methods of application, origin of the plant, range, botanical description, cultivation

Cowpea (Cowpea)

Vigna, or cowpea, is a food and fodder crop. The seeds, leaves and green beans are used as food. Green mass, as well as stems after harvesting, are fed to livestock.

Crushed, steamed seeds are a valuable protein concentrate for young animals and especially for fattening pigs. In some countries, cowpea is also used as a fiber plant. Ropes and wickerwork are made from the axes of cowpea inflorescences. Cowpea is widely cultivated as a green manure crop, after which up to 300 kg/ha of nitrogen remains.

The seeds contain from 24 to 28% protein, 60-63% carbohydrates, 1,0-1,3% fat. Hay contains 16-18% protein.

Vigna culture covers areas of tropical and subtropical latitudes. The world area under this crop is over 5 million hectares. The main crops are concentrated on the African continent. In small areas, this crop is cultivated in the USA, Mexico, Colombia, China, Japan and Egypt.

The yield of cowpea is low, especially in Africa - 0,4-0,6 t/ha, in countries with high farming culture - up to 1,5-2,0 t/ha.

The genus Vigna includes 124 species. The species Vigna unquiculata L was introduced into the culture, which is divided into 3 subspecies: sinensis L. - Chinese cowpea, Cylindricus sticrm - African cowpea and sesquipedalis U. - long-fruited asparagus cowpea. The center of origin of the cowpea is Africa. Wild species are widespread in the tropical zone of the continent, the beans of which are smaller, darker, and crack easily.

Vigna is an annual leguminous plant with a height of 60 to 300 cm. In terms of growth and trifoliate leaves, cowpeas look like beans, but the boats of the corollas of its flowers are not twisted spirally, but are curved like the bow of a boat. The size and shape of the seeds and their color vary as much as in the common bean. The shape of the seeds is round to kidney-shaped. The weight of 1000 seeds, depending on the subspecies, varies from 60 to 350 g.

Chinese cowpea has larger seeds and hanging beans up to 30 cm. African cowpea fruits are protruding, 7-13 cm long. Asparagus long-fruited cowpea is characterized by long, up to 90 cm, hanging beans, irregularly curved. Varieties of this subspecies are used mainly as vegetables.

The duration of the growing season, depending on the biological characteristics of the variety, is from 80 to 200 days. During the growing season, cowpeas form from 40 to 300 flowers per 1 plant, the flowers fall by 60 and even 80%. Vigna is an optional self-pollinator. The duration of flowering is 2-3 weeks for early-ripening forms and up to 2-2,5 months for late-ripening ones.

Cowpea (Cowpea)

Vigna, as a culture of tropical origin, makes high demands on heat. Its seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 12 ° C. The optimum temperature during the period of vegetative growth is 24-28 °C, during flowering and seed filling - 26-28 °C. Temperatures above 35 °C reduce the growth rate of axial and lateral shoots, flowers and pods fall off, and the symbiotic activity of nodule bacteria ceases. Shoots of this culture do not tolerate frost.

Vigna tolerates atmospheric drought well, but is unstable to soil. Therefore, in the dry subtropics, its culture is possible only with irrigation. During the germination period, its seeds absorb 100-120% of water from their mass. Abundant rains during the vegetative growth period lead to excessive growth of the vegetative mass and a decrease in seed yield. This culture is most demanding for moisture during the flowering period - the formation of beans.

Vigna is a culture of a short day. The length of the day affects the length of the growing season, plant height, leaf area, and plant productivity.

The culture does not impose increased requirements on soil fertility. Vigna grows well on both sandy and clay soils, tolerates high acidity. In tropical regions, it is cultivated on red soils, yellow soils, dark brown soils.

Authors: Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V.

Cowpea (Vigna), Vigna sinensis. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

For the treatment of diabetes: cowpeas contain water-soluble proteins and slow-digesting carbohydrates that can help manage blood sugar levels. One of the folk recipes involves the use of the following mixture: chopped cowpeas (1 cup), chopped birch leaf (1 cup) and water (2 liters). Simmer the mixture over low heat until the liquid is reduced by a third. Take 1/4 cup of this infusion every day before meals.
For headache treatment: Grind dry cowpeas and add some water to them to make a paste. Apply this paste on your forehead and lie in a dark and quiet room for 30 minutes. This may help reduce headaches.
To treat stomach problems: grind dry cowpeas and mix it with honey in a ratio of 1:1. Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture three times daily before meals.

Cosmetology:

Mask for the face: Mix 2 tablespoons of powdered cowpeas with 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to face for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Body peeling: Mix 1/2 cup powdered cowpeas with enough olive oil to make a thick paste. Massage the skin of the body in circular motions, then rinse with warm water.
Hair oil: Add 1 tablespoon powdered cowpeas to 1/2 cup olive oil and heat over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Cool and strain, then apply to hair and leave for 30 minutes to an hour, then shampoo.
Face tonic: soak 1 teaspoon of cowpea powder in 1 cup boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Cool and soak a cotton pad in the infusion, then wipe your face with it after washing.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Cowpea (Vigna), Vigna sinensis. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Cowpea (Cowpea) is a fast-growing annual plant from the legume family. Its edible pods are used in cooking, and the plant is often used as livestock feed.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing cowpeas:

Cultivation:

Cowpeas can be grown in any climate, but they prefer warm, humid climates.
The plant should be planted after the end of frost, when the soil has already warmed up to 15-18 degrees Celsius.
It is important to provide the plant with sufficient moisture, especially during flowering and pod formation.

Workpiece:

The cowpea pods should be harvested when they have reached maturity but have not yet begun to turn yellow.
The pods can be used fresh or frozen. If you plan to freeze the pods, you should first boil them in boiling water for a few minutes, then cool in cold water and freeze in plastic bags.

Storage:

Fresh cowpea pods should be stored in the refrigerator in plastic bags at 4-5°C.
Frozen pods can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Dried pods can be stored in a dry and cool place in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

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