Fenologia e maturação de sementes de variedades locais de feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), cultivadas em Manaus, AM

Abstract

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a crop of great food and economic importance in several regions. Seed production is a fundamental step for establishing high-quality crops, and determining seed maturation is essential for obtaining seeds with high physiological potential. In this context, growth analysis and phenological studies stand out as important tools for understanding plant development and identifying the appropriate stage of physiological maturity, contributing to the production of higher-quality seeds. Therefore, the present study evaluated the phenological aspects of local cowpea varieties cultivated in the Manaus region, as well as identified seed physiological maturity and, consequently, the ideal harvest point. Three cowpea varieties were used: Filipinho, Manteiguinha, and Fígado-de-galinha, which were evaluated throughout the entire growth and development period for phenological characterization. To determine seed physiological maturity, seven harvests were performed starting at 10 days after anthesis, at two-day intervals. Data were subjected to statistical analysis to evaluate the effects of varieties, evaluation periods, and their interaction over time. Regarding the phenology of the varieties, Filipinho presented a phenological cycle of 71 days, Fígado-de-galinha 72 days, and Manteiguinha 74 days. In the evaluation of seed physiological maturity, it was observed that maturity was reached at 18 days after anthesis (DAA) in all varieties, with seed moisture content ranging from approximately 24% to 29%. The ideal harvest point was determined at 20 DAA for all varieties, a period in which the seeds showed water content between 15% and 17% in the field, as well as higher germination percentage and greater seed vigor. The results obtained demonstrate that the association between phenological evaluations, growth analysis, and seed physiological quality enabled the determination of the appropriate harvest time, providing important information for crop management and for obtaining seeds with higher physiological quality.