Cowpea Variety: Kashi Nidhi (CP-6 / VRCP-6) – 

1. Origin & Release

• Developed by ICAR–Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi
• Year of release: 2012

2. Plant Characteristics

• Plant type: Dwarf, erect, bushy and compact
• Plant height: about 45–50 cm
• Pods per plant: 20–45 pods (depending on management)

3. Pod Characteristics

• Pod colour: Dark green
• Shape: Slightly curved, uniform
• Length: 25–30 cm (up to ~32 cm)
• Pods are tender, fleshy, and attractive, suitable for vegetable purpose

4. Duration (Maturity)

• Flowering: 35–45 days after sowing
• First harvest: 50–55 days
• Total crop duration: about 40–55 days (early maturing)

5. Yield Potential

• Green pod yield: 140–150 quintals/ha under good management

6. Resistance/Tolerance

• Tolerant to Cowpea Golden Mosaic Virus (CGMV)
• Also tolerant to Pseudocercospora leaf spot and some insect pests

7. Adaptation & Season

• Suitable for summer and rainy (kharif) seasons
• Recommended for North-Western Plains Zone (UP, Punjab) and Eastern regions (Bihar, Jharkhand)
• Photo-insensitive (can be grown in multiple seasons)

8. Special Features

• Early maturing → quick returns to farmers
• High yielding and uniform pods → good market demand
• Disease tolerant → reduced cost of plant protection
• Suitable for commercial cultivation as well as kitchen gardens

✅ Kashi Nidhi (CP-6) is an early, high-yielding, bush-type vegetable cowpea variety with long dark-green pods, good disease resistance, and excellent market acceptability—ideal for intensive and profitable cultivation.