Among the options listed below, what is the scientific name of cowpea?

(a) Pisum sativum

(b) Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

(c) Vigna unguiculata

(d) Phaseolus vulgaris

The correct answer to this question is option (c). Vigna unguiculata

Cowpea, which is scientifically known as Vigna unguiculata, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is an annual herbaceous shrub. It is an intercrop which is widely grown with groundnut, maize and sorghum. It is high in protein with upto 18-25% protein content, which is equivalent to that of certain types of meat.

It is a heat-resilient crop which remains unaffected by drought stresses and has two botanical variants namely Vigna unguiculataunguiculata var. unguiculata and Vigna unguiculata unguiculata var. spontanea. It is helpful for people who have insufficient food resources and are considered economically backward. It balances the diet very well with its high protein content.

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