Legumes & Pulses· Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata
Black-eyed Pea Growing Guide
A heat- and drought-tolerant subspecies of cowpea distinguished by its characteristic dark eye marking. Staple food in West Africa and the American South, excellent for improving soil fertility.
How Long Does Black-eyed Pea Take to Grow?
Black-eyed Pea is typically ready to harvest about 80 days after planting.
FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: sandy loam, loam, sandy
pH range: 5.5 - 7.5 (optimal: 6.5)
Drainage: good
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- cowpea weevil
- pod borer
- aphids
Common Diseases
- cowpea mosaic virus
- bacterial blight
- cercospora leaf spot
Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Plant after last frost when soil is warm -- cold soil leads to poor stand establishment.
Can serve as a green manure cover crop, fixing 80-100 kg N/ha when incorporated before flowering.
Store dried seeds with neem leaf powder or hermetic bags to prevent bruchid damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Black-eyed Pea take to grow?
Black-eyed Pea typically takes 80 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 6 days. The best planting season is late_spring, summer.
What soil does Black-eyed Pea need?
Black-eyed Pea grows best in sandy loam, loam, sandy soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Good drainage is required.
What temperature does Black-eyed Pea need?
Black-eyed Pea grows best at 25-35°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.
What is the expected yield for Black-eyed Pea?
Across 43 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Black-eyed Pea range from 40 to 12,730 kg/hectare, with a median of 830. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
Get AI-Powered Black-eyed Pea Recommendations
WiseYield provides personalized growing recommendations, yield predictions, and disease detection for Black-eyed Pea and 222 other crops.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.