Effects of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Inoculation and Supplementation with Phosphorus on Macronutrients Uptake in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Daniel Nyoki, Patrick A. Ndakidemi

School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2014.54058                

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.

Keywords

Mineral Elements; Bioavailability; Calcium; Magnesium; Sodium; NPK; Rhizosphere

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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