A field experiment was conducted during two successive summer seasons (1994 and 1995) to assess the crop performance of the locally-adapted cowpea cv. 'Cream 7' as affected by soil type (clay loam, sand clay loam, and loam sand soil). Four application methods of P fertilizer (300 kg superphosphate/feddan, 15.5% P₂O₅) and two N starter treatments (45 kg N/fed., ammonium nitrate) were utilized in each soil type. The analysis of variance for the obtained data indicated that the dry-seed yield and 1000-seed weight had a consistent gradient elevation in loam sand, sand clay loam and clay loam soil types, respectively, whether or not ammonium nitrate starter fertilizer was used. However, there were substantial consistent increases for these traits in both loam sand and sand clay loam soil types with application of N starter fertilization. The dry-seed yield produced in loam sand soil was, generally, as high as 80 to 85 per cent of the seed yield produced in the most productive soil type, i.e. clay loam. Greater number of nodules formed on roots of plants grown in clay loam and sand clay loam when no ammonium nitrate was applied. Under conditions of N fertilization, however, increased number of nodules was found in sand loam soil while reduction occurred in the other soil types. The weight of nodules was greater in sand clay loam which did not receive N fertilizers. Weight of nodules reduced with application of N to clay loam and sand clay loam while increased in sand loam making both sand clay loam and loam sand soil types similar. Broadcasting of the whole amount of P fertilizer during soil preparation or half of the amount during soil preparation and sidedressing the other half after seedling emergence and before the first irrigation tended to enhance plant growth and seed yield comparing with the other methods. However, its effects were inconsistent. It is suggested that cowpea, as being a tropical plant with adaptability to wide range of soil types, could be produced successfully in the new and reclaimed soil in Southern Valley region. Providing starter N fertilizer is recommended under such conditions.