Productivity Improvement of Cowpea Under Desert Soil Conditions

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out in sandy soil during the summer seasons of 2003 and 2004at Siwa Oasis, Egypt (26.0°N, 29.0°E and 0-22 m under mean sea level). The experiments were irrigated by using drip irrigation system with salinity water of 6000 p.p.m), Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata cv. Cream 7 cultivar was cultivated to study the effect of inoculation by three methods (inoculation of seeds pre-sowing, as soil application by injection of inoculation after germination and with both methods on the growth and yield of cowpea. There were four inoculation treatments represented in new strain of Rhizobia (Rh), Bacillus megatherium phosphate dissolving bacteria (P. D. B.) and mixed inoculation (Rh + P. D. B.) in addition to control. The data were recorded for vegetative growth characteristics (plant height (cm), No. of branches, fresh and dry weight/ plant (g) and leaf area (cm 2)). Also, dry pods yield and its components (No. of pods/plant, average pod weight (g), seeds number / pod, seeds yield (g)/plant and (kg)/fed.). Chemical constituents of dry seeds (N %, P %, K %, protein % and carbohydrate %) were determined. Obtained results showed that inoculation of seeds pre-sowing and inoculation of soil after germination together surpassed than other methods in growth characters, yield and its components as well as chemical composition. The same trend was observed for the inoculation with Rh + P. D. B. treatment when compared to other inoculation treatments. The highest values of growth characters, yield and its components and chemical composition of cowpea (Cream 7 cultivar) were obtained with interaction treatment between inoculation of seeds pre-sowing and inoculation of soil after germination and Rh + P. D. B inoculation. The results were true in the two growth seasons.

Influence of Nitrogen Sources and Bio-fertilizer on Soil Nutrients, Yield and Quality of Cowpea under Saline Soil Conditions

“…The interaction between nitrogen sources and different rates combined with and without bio-fertilizer were significant increases all parameters of plants, except weight of 100 seeds was no significant. [20] reported that the inoculation of cowpea seeds with rhizobia significant increased number pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, seed yield/plant and seed yield/ha compared un inoculation seed.…”

“…This result may be due to the decrease in pH values could be attributed to the production of CO 2 and organic acids by soil microorganisms acting and other chemical transformation on the added bio-fertilizer. Ghodia [20] reported that the soil pH was decreased with increasing N rate by ammonium sulphate and urea fertilizers. Ayub et al [21] found that the applied of ammonium sulphate on saline soil was decreased of soil pH from (8.5 -7.8) after 20 weeks.…”

“…Interaction between nitrogen fertilizers sources and different rates on Fe, Mn and Zn available in soil was no significant for Fe, while, Mn and Zn were significant increase in soil as affected with interaction between nitrogen sources and different rates alone or combined with bio-fertilizer. Ghodia [20] indicated that the soil treated with bio-fertilizer improved soil microbial activity and increase availability of nutrients. [25] reported that the soil with treated with biofertilizer in combination with N-mineral fertilizer caused progressive significant increases in all the studied available macronutrients and micronutrients than without bio-fertilizer.…”

“…The interaction between nitrogen fertilizers sources and rates combined with or without bio-fertilizer for N, P and K concentrations and uptake in seeds cowpea were significant increases. Ghodia [20] found that the increases in N, P and K content may be due to the interaction effect between rhizobial which consequently increased the uptake of nutrients in cowpea plant.…”

Impact of Different Nitrogen forms on Soil Fertility and Cowpea Productivity under Conditions Saline Soil

“…These results may be due to the ammonium sulphate is an essential element of bio-molecules such as amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, phytohormones and a number of enzymes and coenzymes and improve of yield component [35]. Reported that the inoculation of cowpea seeds with rhizobia significant increased number pods plant -1 , number of seeds pod -1 , seed yield plant -1 and seed yield fed -1 compared with uninoculated seed.…”