COWPEA RESPONSE TO THE REMOTION OF THE FL OWERS AND PODS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the green grains yield and dry grains yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) genotypes ( CNCx 187-22D-2, CNCx 24-015-E, CNCx 149-016 and Pitiuba). It also aime d at the evaluation of the effects of ''fruiting treatments'' (normal fruiting, partial fruiting suppression and total fruiting suppression) on the dry matter of stems, leaves, pods and total dry matter (stems + leaves + pods) of the compared genotypes. In normal fruiting, dry gr ains were harvested. Partial fruiting suppression was obtained harvest ing green grains. In total fruit suppression, all flowers produced wer e daily harvested. Two factorial experiments 4 x 3 were carried out in Mossoro county, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, during 1988/89. Ge notypes did not differ as to green pods yield, green grains yield and dry grains yield. The total fruit suppression overcame the normal frui ting and partial fruiting suppression as to dry matter yield of leaves and stems. Fruiting treatments did not differ as dry matter yields of pericarps, grains and total dry matter yield.