Faculty of Agriculture

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Browsing Faculty of Agriculture by Author "OLUFADE Abimbola Mayowa"

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    Effects of phosphorus fertilizer on cowpea(vigna unguiculata(L)Walp.) growth, nodulation, yield and colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under screen condition.
    (Department Of Soil Science And Land Resources Management, Faculty Of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2024) OLUFADE Abimbola Mayowa
    The study evaluated the influence of different rates of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on nitrogen fixation by two cowpea varieties; assessed the effect of phosphorus fertilizer on yields of the cowpea varieties; and determined cowpea varietal and fertilizer effects on root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This was with the view to providing information on appropriate nutrient phosphorus management for improved cowpea production in phosphorus deficient tropical soils performance. The soil used for the study was collected from 0-15 cm depth of an ultisol, classified as Iwo series, at the Teaching and Research Farm, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Seeds of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp], var. TVX 113 and TVX 3236, were obtained from the Department of crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Three kilogramme (3 kg) of soil was amended with P fertilizer (as single super phosphate) at the rates of 0, 20, 40, 60 kg P ha-1 as SP0, SP1, SP2 and SP3 respectively. The amended soils were poured into plastic buckets and planted with three cowpea seeds, thinned to two, 2 weeks after planting. There were two consecutive 8-week plantings of cowpea in order to assess the immediate and residual effects of the treatments on cowpea nitrogen fixation, growth and colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). A second experiment was set up for two consecutive 10 weeks to determine the immediate and residual effects of the treatments on cowpea yield. At the end of each planting, agronomic and yield parameters were taken. In the first experiment, plant heights, number of leaves per plant, number of nodules per plant and dry matter yield were taken. The oven-dried plant tissues were ground and analyzed for total N, total P, tissue contents of cations (K, Ca and Mg), N2 fixed (using Ureide method) and percent AMF colonization. In the second experiment, the number of pods per plant and pod weights, number of grain and grain weights were taken. The soil in each pot after harvesting, was sub-sampled and analyzed for pH, soil organic matter, available P and exchangeable cations. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 95% confidence interval. The results showed that P fertilizer significantly enhanced soil exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na, and K), with SP1, SP2 and SP3 performing better than the control. Increase in plant’s height, number of branches and number of leaves were obtainedwith SP2 and SP3 in the first cropping and SP1 and SP3 in the second cropping. Application of SP3 only enhanced shoot dry weight, Ca, K and Na intake. The SP2 and SP1 increased Mg uptake, while SP2 boosted N and P uptake. In the first planting of the second experiment, SP2 enhanced pod number, pod weight, while SP3 improved grain number and grain weight. However, in the second planting of the second experiment, pod number, pod weight, grain number, grain weight and percentage of root colonized by AMF compared to control were improved by application of SP1. Variety TVX 113 performed better than TVX 3236 in all the measured agronomic parameters, exchangeable cations, N and P uptake and yield. while SP1 positively influenced the root colonization by AMF. The application of 40 kg and 60 kg P ha-1 boosted most of the measured cowpea agronomic parameters, regardless of the variety, and improved yield of cowpea compared to the control (0 kg ha-1).