Effects of copper and vermicompost on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp and nutrient accumulation in its fruits

Abstract

The effects of copper (Cu) and vermicompost (VC) on growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp and nutrient accumulation in its fruits was examined. Eight treatments of Cu and VC were used. The highest plant height (226.67 cm), leaf number per plant (86.33), leaf area (174.12 cm2/plant), dry weight (13.98 g/plant), fruit length (52.4 cm), fruit number per plant (6), and fruit yield (5.65 g/plant) were recorded in Cu0.5 kg/ha + VC5 ton/ha treatment at harvest. The results of growth and yield of cowpea varied significantly (p≤ 0.05) and increased with time. The total nutrient concentrations in the fruits were measured and varied significantly (p≤ 0.05). The highest concentration of total P (0.79%), K (4.14%), S (0.42%), Cu (27 mg/kg), Fe (640 mg/kg) and Mn (59 mg/kg) in the fruits were observed in Cu0.5 kg/ha + VC5 ton/ha treatment and total N (4.29%) and Zn (88 mg/kg) were found in Cu1.5 kg/ha + VC5 ton/ha treatment. The overall best growth, yield and nutrient accumulation in the fruits of cowpea were achieved in Cu0.5 kg/ha + VC5 treatment.
 J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(2): 13-18

Impact of bio-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. on yield and Seed quality of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under soil salinity conditions

“…Therefore, our study supports previous findings that combination of bradyrhizobial strains and Streptomyces griseoflavus P4 increased N, P, and K uptakes of soybean and mung bean compared with un-inoculation treatment (El-Nahrawy and Omara 2017 and Htwe et al (2019). Additionally, Sharif et al (2019) found that the highest total macro and micronutrients (N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) in cowpea seeds were achieved in organic treatment (vermicompost) compared to control treatments. Also, mixed application of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers can be enhanced the activity of phosphatase (acid and alkaline) around roots of Syrian cephalaria (Cephalaria syriaca L.), which led to increase the availability of N, P, Zn, Cu and Fe (Rahimi et al 2019).…”

Transition Metal Homeostasis and Its Role in Plant Growth and Development

“…However, high doses of Cu inhibit the growth (Yagura et al 2019). In cowpea, Cu also increases the growth, yield, and nutrient uptake (Sharif et al 2019). Homeostatic amount of Cu increased the germination traits and growth in water melon plant (Liu et al 2016).…”