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Assessment of the potential to improve N fixation by cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in Ghanaian soils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

J.O. Fening ,
W. Dogbe  and
S.K.A. Danso
J.O. Fening*
Affiliation:
Soil Microbiologist, Soil Research Institute, Academy Post Office, Kwadaso-Kumasi, Ghana;
W. Dogbe
Affiliation:
Agronomist, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala-Tamale, Ghana;
S.K.A. Danso
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
*
Corresponding author is J.O. Fening (soils@africaonline.com.gh).
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Abstract

The potential to improve N fixation by cowpea in Ghanaian soils was examined through: (1) assessment of the natural nodulation of 45 cowpea cultivars in 20 soils sampled from 5 ecological zones; (2) determination of the numbers of cowpea bradyrhizobial isolates in the soils; and (3) determination of the response of cowpea to N fertilization. The ability of 45 cowpea cultivars to nodulate naturally in the various soils showed wide cultural adaptability. Counts of indigenous bradyrhizobia showed that most soils in Ghana contained large populations capable of nodulating cowpea. These ranged from 0.6 × 10 bradyrhizobia cells g soil−1 to 3.1 × 104 cells g soil−1, with 60% of the soils containing more than 103 cells g soil−1. Response of cowpea to N fertilization differed according to soil type. In general all cowpea cultivars showed significant response to increasing N fertilizer applications, indicating that N fixation was not providing the plants with sufficient N for maximum growth and yield. This study suggests that inoculation of cowpea with effective indigenous strains of bradyrhizobial species has considerable potential to improve this situation.

Keywords

cropping systemsfood legumesN fertilizationsoil fertility
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , June 2001 , pp. 57 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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