Jyothika pea

🟢 Jyothika pea, officially known as Vellayani Jyothika cowpea, is a high-yielding vegetable cowpea variety developed in Kerala. It’s especially popular in home gardens and terrace farming due to its adaptability, disease resistance, and tender pods.

🌿 Key Features

• Type: Bushy cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
• Pod Appearance: Long, light green pods with excellent cooking quality
• Growth Habit: Compact and bushy—no need for staking
• Disease Resistance: Tolerant to Fusarium wilt, a common soil-borne disease

🍽️ Culinary Value

• Pods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber
• Used in stir-fries, curries, and traditional Kerala dishes like payar mezhukkupuratti
• Tender pods cook quickly and absorb flavors beautifully

🌱 Cultivation Tips

• Climate: Thrives in Kerala’s warm, humid conditions
• Soil: Well-drained loamy soil enriched with compost
• Spacing: 30 cm between rows and 15 cm between plants
• Harvest: Ready in 45–50 days; pick when pods are tender and green