Cowpea, lablab and pigeon pea

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), lablab (Lablab purpureus) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) are summer-growing annual pulse crops. Cowpeas are a significant crop in NSW and can be grown as a grain-only crop or as a dual-purpose forage and grain crop. Lablab and pigeon pea are relatively minor grain crops at present, but both have the potential for expansion.

These pulse crops can be included in farming systems in northern NSW as a summer break crop to help manage cereal diseases and winter weeds as well as to add some nitrogen to the soil.

This Agfact outlines the agronomy of each crop for grain production.