Abstract: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L)) cultivation serves many purposes, which include fixation of atmospheric nitrogen to meet its nitrogen requirement for tissue building, for the needs of companion and subsequent cereal crop and production of proteinous grains for human consumption and fodder for animals. Reduced availability of phosphorus nutrient is known to limit cowpea potentials for optimum production on acidic tropical farmland. Application of mycorrhizal fungus has been postulated to complement roots in sourcing for phosphrus nutrient (both inherent or applied) which is important for effeect nodulation. This study was conducted in Babcock University Teaching and Research Farm to assess the effects of P application and mycorrhizal fungus inoculation on the ability of cowpea to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) on a marginal fertility soil (Utisols). Two factors namely: P with two levels 0 and 40 kg/ha and mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus deserticola) applied at four levels 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g/hill were assessed on performance of cowpea variety, Ife Brown. The eight treatment combination obtained were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Variables such as plant height, growths, nodulation (nodule count,dry weight and size), percent tissue N and P, and percent of nodules with leghaemoglobin and seed yield were asssesed. Results show that there were no interaction effects of the factors studied in this work on cowpea variety Ife brown’s variables like plant growth and nodulation assessed. The effects of separate application of phosphorus and mycorrhizal fungus inoculation on the variables became marked mostly at the reproductive growth phase of the crop. For instance, phosphorus application promoted plant height and nodulation notably; crown nodule number relative to no-Papplication significantly impacted percent tissue P and seed yield respectively. Erratic increases due to increased inoculation rates on nodule size relative to the control resulting from mycorrhizal fungus inoculation were recorded duuring the trial. Somewhat higher shoot tissue N and P respectively were obtained through mycorrhizal fungus inoculation. For most of the variables, assessed mycorrhizal inoculant application at 2.5 g/hill was observed to be a threshold rate.
Keywords: Cowpea, Phosphorus fertilization, Mycorrhizal inoculation, Nodulation and Tissue Nand P.
Title: Effect of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on the Release of fixed Phosphorus in Soil Colloid for Growth and Effective Nodulation of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Author: Daramola, D. S., Adeoti, E. B., Oyekale, K. O., Denton, O. A., Nwangburuka, C. C., Adeyeye J. A.
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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