Inoculation of Rhizobium associated with Trichoderma asperellum on the development and yield of cowpea

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of simultaneous inoculation of isolates from rhizobia and Trichoderma in cowpea and their effects on its growth, nodule quality and grain yield. In the experiment under greenhouse conditions, the cowpea cv. Vinagre, of a medium-late cycle, was used in a test with a completely randomized design. In the field test, three cowpea cultivars (Vinagre, Fradinho and Sempre Verde) were used in a randomized block design, with seven treatments and three replicates. The variables evaluated in the greenhouse were biomass, nodulation and relative efficiency (RE) while the yield was evaluated in the field. Seeds inoculation of cowpea with Trichoderma and rhizobia, in the greenhouse, followed by an additional Trichoderma shoot application at 25 days after sowing (DAS), was relevant for biomass accumulation, with no difference in the nitrogen application and nodulation. Applying rhizobia was important for the root development. Seed inoculation with rhizobia and Trichoderma followed by another Trichoderma application at 25 DAS, provided increased yield in the three studied varieties, under field conditions.