The effect of harvest at different stages of seed development and maturity on the seed quality of cowpea in a semi-arid climate was studied. Field experiments were conducted at a research farm in Ramhormoz, Iran in 2009 and 2010. After flowering, seeds were harvested on 12 occasions at 4 day intervals, starting from 20 days after flowering (DAF). Seed quality was determined by assessing seed moisture content, dry weight, electrical conductivity and germination seedling dry weight. All seed quality traits were significantly affected by harvest time. The highest seed quality was attained at physiological maturity (52-56 DAF) which occurred 8-16 days after the end of the seed filling period or mass maturity. Harvesting before physiological maturity resulted in low quality seeds. The lower seed moisture content (21.5%) attained at 56 DAF meant that is was a more appropriate harvest time for achieving high quality seeds compared to 52 DAF (35% moisture content).
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