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Lobia (Cowpea)KharifOpen-pollinatedUpdated 2 September 2026

Pusa Sukomal

A semi-dwarf ICAR-IARI release combining the fastest maturity of any named cowpea on this list with resistance to three of the crop's worst problems at once — virus, leaf spot and bacterial blight.

SeasonKharif
Maturity period42–45 days (kharif); 55–60 days (summer)
Expected yield6.2–6.6 t/ha
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Lobia (Cowpea)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Kharif
Maturity period
42–45 days (kharif); 55–60 days (summer)
Seed rate
15–18 kg/ha given its semi-dwarf, erect habit
Expected yield
6.2–6.6 t/ha
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi — exact notification year not confirmed in this research pass

About this variety

Pusa Sukomal is a semi-dwarf, erect cowpea variety from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Its pods are light green, round, meaty and comparatively fibre-free, running about 30 cm long and 1 cm thick. It matures unusually fast — ready in just 42–45 days when sown in kharif, and 55–60 days in a summer planting — making it one of the quickest cowpea varieties available for a grower who needs to turn a plot around quickly. Sourced agronomy consistently describes it as highly resistant to golden yellow mosaic virus and to leaf spot disease, and additionally resistant to bacterial blight, which together cover the three most damaging disease pressures cowpea faces in North India. Reported yield sits at 6.2–6.6 t/ha.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    Maturity42–45 days (kharif); 55–60 days (summer)
    Yield potential6.2–6.6 t/ha
    Disease resistanceHighly resistant to golden yellow mosaic virus and leaf spot disease; resistant to bacterial blight
    SoilLoam
    SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeKharif (June–July) for the fastest 42–45 day cycle, or summer (February–March) for a 55–60 day cycle
  • Seed rate15–18 kg/ha given its semi-dwarf, erect habit
  • Spacing40–45 cm between rows, 15 cm between plants for its erect, semi-dwarf habit

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

42–45 days (kharif); 55–60 days (summer)

Expected yield

6.2–6.6 t/ha

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • One of the fastest-maturing named cowpea varieties available — 42–45 days in kharif — letting a grower fit in an extra crop cycle where land is limited.
  • A rare combination of high resistance to golden yellow mosaic virus, leaf spot and bacterial blight together, rather than tolerance to just one disease.
  • Meaty, low-fibre pods that hold their eating quality well.

Things to consider

  • Its very short duration means the harvest window is tight — a delayed picking loses freshness faster than on a longer-duration variety.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Delhi
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Haryana

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Pusa Sukomal mature compared to other cowpea varieties?

It is among the fastest — ready in just 42–45 days when sown in kharif (June–July), or 55–60 days in a summer planting, noticeably quicker than most bush-type cowpea varieties, which typically take 55–65 days or more.