In a country that is struggling with water supply, the North-West University (NWU) has found a cowpea plant that does not require a lot of water compared to other field crops.

This particular cowpea is indigenous to the Southern African region and the NWU will be the first institution in the world to introduce it to the scientific community. It can be found in small pockets around Mahikeng, Lehurutshe, Kuruman and Botswana. The crop is known by different names in different regions, such as Mae a Tsilwana and Ggopo tsa Nare.

It cannot be planted on a large scale because of the scarcity of the seed. In most cases farmers or community members ensure that they keep the seed from their last harvest so they can plant it in the next season.

Ground-breaking research
Under the supervision of lecturers Motlogeloa Mokolobate and Dr Khosi Ramachela from the School of Agricultural Sciences, Rose Semenya, a master’s student on the campus in Mahikeng, is currently looking at what agronomic factors can influence this cowpea.

Her research looks at how using different plant and row spacing will affect the yield and what effect the different types of micro-elements have on nodulation.  

According to Motlogeloa, one kilogram of seeds has the potential to plant a hectare of land, drastically reducing the cost of seeds and fertilizers. Due to this cowpea’s vigorous vegetative growth, it completely covers the soil surface and reduces soil erosion, which is a big problem in the North West province.  

Currently NWU researchers from the subject group Animal Sciences are also conducting research to establish whether cattle and other animals can consume the plant. Motlogeloa adds that cowpea leaves and seeds have great potential for human and animal consumption.

After the research has been completed, the NWU would like to plant this seed in other areas to see how it performs under different climatic conditions.

Lindiwe Mashele, an NWU student, with the cowpea plant.