Genotypic Responses of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) to Sub-Optimal Phosphorus Supply in Alfsols of Western Kenya: A Comparative Analysis of Legumes
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Date
2011
Authors
Gweyi, Joseph Onyango
Akwee, Peter
Onyango, Christine
Tsehaye, Tesfamariam
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Abstract
Western parts of Kenya are characterized by acid soils with phosphorus [P] deficiency and aluminum [Al]
phytotoxicity. Reports indicate a declining trend in yields of legumes such as cowpeas. Though legumes can fix N, starter
phosphorus need to be supplied for better yields and more often plants develop adaptive strategies for better P acquisition;
probably through increased Al tolerance by carboxylates exudation, improved nodulation as a result of high P and better
root development. Present study examined mutual relationship between P and nodulation in explaining yield differences
between Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties: Elanda (ELn, high yielding) and Inzeku (INz; moderate yielding), Ground
nut (Arachis hypogea)-GN and Bambara nuts (Vigna subterrenea (Verdc) - BBN with proven P efficiency and Bean
(Phaseolus vulgaris L) varieties Rosecoco (RCC) and Edwin (ED); low P efficient formed basis for comparison. The
experiment was conducted at Masinde Muliro University field station from April 2009 and experimental design was
CRBD having split plot with P as main plots (+P; or –P), whereas GN, BBN, ELn, INz, RCC and ED legumes were
randomized within the P treatments. Legume genotypes were replicated four times. There were no differences in shoot
biomass with +P and –P (INz), but ELn showed higher shoot DM with +P as compared with –P (significant p<0.05).
Similar trends were replicated with nodulation with P supply. Shoot DM and nodulation were positively correlated for
ELn (r2=0.99; +P and r2=0.68; -P) but not INz. Correlations were negative for beans and performance of BBN with +P and
–P showed trends similar with Inz genotype. Sub-optimal P supply with concomitant enhancing nodulation in INz could
not explain genotypic differences in yields, since high yielding BBN lacked this trait with additional P. Factors like high
proton concentration and Al saturation need to be assessed and likely an interaction between P and Al through enhanced
exudation of carboxylates may give more insights to cowpea genotypic differences.
Description
Available at www.krepublishers.com/.../JAS-02-1-001-11-040-Gweyi-O-J-...
Keywords
Legumes, Vigna Anguiculata Genotypes, Nodulation, Phosphorus Efficiency, Aluminium
Citation
J Agri Sci, 2(1): 1-8 (2011)