TITLE:
Effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Inoculation and Supplementation with Phosphorus on Macronutrients Uptake in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)
AUTHORS:
Daniel Nyoki, Patrick A. Ndakidemi
KEYWORDS:
Mineral Elements; Bioavailability; Calcium; Magnesium; Sodium; NPK; Rhizosphere
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.4,
February
26,
2014
ABSTRACT:
The current study was conducted to assess the
effects of phosphorus supplementation and Bradyrhizobium
japonicum inoculation on the availability and uptake of N, P, K, Mg, Ca and
Na on cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design where the main
plots comprised two inoculation levels (with and without inoculation of B. japonicum ) and sub plots contained
four different levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40, and 80 kg P/ha). The results
indicated that B. japonicum inoculation and phosphorus supplementation significantly improved the uptake of
N, P, K, Mg, Ca and Na in different cowpea tissues such as roots, pods, shoots,
and whole plant relative to the control. The results also indicated that there
was a significant interaction of B.
japonicum and phosphorus on the uptake of sodium in the roots and whole
cowpea plant in the screen house. Rhizobia inoculation and supplementation of
phosphorus at 40 kg P/ha resulted in the improved uptake of the most elements
over other treatments tested.