The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization on growth and nutrient uptake of two different cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) genotypes exposed to drought stress

Abstract

In the present investigation, the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungal root colonization on nutrient uptake, growth and soil water depletion of cowpea plants exposed to a drought stress period was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal and non-AM plants of an old, local variety from Brazil 'Carioca', and of the breeding improved cultivar 'Epace-10' were exposed to 24 days of drought, with or without a subsequent period of water resupply. Control plants remained well watered throughout the growth period. The AM symbiosis greatly enhanced nutrient uptake of drought stressed plants. However, water uptake, growth and net photosynthesis were unaffected by AM root colonization during drought stress. Recovery after water resupply was much faster when plants were inoculated with AM, probably due to an improved plant nutritional status. The cultivar Epace-10 was much more dependent on the AM symbiosis for growth and nutrient uptake compared with Carioca in all irrigation treatments. Only when roots were AM colonized, Epace-10 plants were able to recover from drought stress after water resupply. Our study suggests that the AM symbiosis constitutes an important strategy by which leguminous plants overcome periods of drought. Under conditions of low soil water and P availability, the presence of AM fungal propagules in the field soil appears to be a prerequisite for successful cultivation of cowpea, particularly with respect to the breeding improved cultivar Epace-10.

Nutrient Budgeting, Economics and Energetics of Cowpea under Potassium and Phosphorus Management

“…Green pod and stover yields were significantly highest with 100% K which showed 20.2 and 21.5% of green pod, and 11.2 and 22.6% of stover yield for 2009 and 2010, respectively higher over 50% K. Though, 100 and 50% P application showed at par in 2010. Phosphorus application with 100% P recorded 19.8 and 20.5% higher green pod yield and 11.5 and 19.6% higher stover yield for 2009 and 2010, respectively over 50% P. Similar results were also observed by Neumann and George, 2009.…”

Growth and development responses of some legume species inoculated with a mycorrhiza-based biofertilizer

“…The Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi, grouped in the phylum Glomeromycota, are the commonest mycorrhizal type involved in agricultural systems (Bethlenfalvay, 1992). To the well-known positive impacts of VAM on plant yields should be added several other benefits such as a better survival rate of colonized plants, the maintenance of plant biodiversity, the improvement of soil microflora (Boer et al, 2005), the resistance to biotic (Bødker et al, 2002;Dalpé, 2005) and abiotic environmental stresses (Evelin et al, 2009;Neumann and George, 2009), the improvement of soil structure and the reduction of pesticide use (Strack et al, 2003). Since VAM symbiosis can benefit plant growth and health, there is an increasing interest in their application and management, particularly within the context of sustainable agriculture.…”

Low Carbon Technologies for Agriculture in Dryland: Brazilian Experience

“…Thus, the use of these techniques allows a greater production of the plants and an increase in the capacity to support environmental stresses, being able to be an additional tool in the integration of technologies for the family farming. Some published works indicate the potential use of these tools for leguminous crops [56,57]. For cowpea, four strains of Bradyrhizobium sp.…”