Abstract
The response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (Walp. (L.)) to inoculation with symbiotic microorganisms (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and rhizobium) was investigated on cultivated vertisoils (known locally as Dek) and arenosoils (known locally as Dior) in three geographic sites in Senegal. On the basis of soil physico-chemical characteristics, of most probable number (MPN) of indigenous rhizobia and of yields, a hierarchical analysis showed that the sites were grouped in three clusters. Some soils initially considered as Dek were grouped with Dior, so that all of Dior soils were grouped in the same cluster. No significant increasing in shoot biomass or yield was observed when cowpea was inoculated with fungi alone, whatever soil type. However, a significant or noticeable improvement in cowpea seeds production was obtained by rhizobium inoculation. It appeared that cowpea response to inoculation depended on geographical site and were often observed in sandy arenosoils (Dior type) or in loamy sand vertisoils (Dek type) with at least 15mgkg -1 of available
Highlights
Cowpea is a grain legume that plays a very important socio-economic role especially among rural populations
Multilocational experiments conducted simultaneously in this study have allowed us to understand the effects of inoculation on the growth and yield of cowpea under various environmental conditions such as soil type, physico-chemical composition and rainfall in Senegal
Regardless of inoculation data, the results indicate a low aerial biomass and yields in Dior soils compared to Dek soils
Summary
Cowpea is a grain legume that plays a very important socio-economic role especially among rural populations. Like other grain legumes, its cultivation contributes to soil fertility restoration due to its high potential of biological nitrogen fixation [1; 2] Despite all these interests, the average yield of cowpea is less than 300 kg/ha but with considerable worldwide variations. In Senegal, the fourth producing country in West Africa, the national yield is estimated at 543 kg per ha in the sole cropping systems [3] These yields are considered low compared to a potential yield that can reach up to 1000 kg/ha and 3000 kg/ha respectively for the Senegalese varieties Melakh and Mouride [3].These low yields are mainly related to a decrease of soil fertility namely in phosphorus (P) and in nitrogen (N). The use of these inputs is limited in particular by their exorbitant cost, and by their effects on the environment such as pollution and loss of biodiversity in the regions of intensive agriculture and the degradation of the most fragile agricultural systems [4]
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