Additive Response of Biofertilizers on Seed Yield and Quality in Cowpea

Abstract

Background: Cowpea is a precious crop for farmers with limited resources. The crop’s yield potential was constrained coupled with poor seed management methods, a lack of high yielding varieties and improper input use. Seed inoculation with biofertilizer is critical for increasing nutrient utilization efficiency and crop yield via nitrogen fixation and nodulations. With this in mind, a study was performed to appraise the influence of pre-sowing seed inoculation on initial seed quality, crop growth, seed yield, seed biochemical content and seed quality in cowpea, both in the laboratory and field. Methods: Cowpea seeds were imposed with different bio-inoculants viz., Rhizobium @ 600 g/ha, PSB @ 600 g/ha, VAM @ 600 g/ha and Pseudomonas @ 10 g/kg as single treatment and in combined inoculations. The above treated seeds along with control were evaluated for seed quality under laboratory condition and crop growth and yield potential under field condition. Result: Rhizobium inoculation (600 g/ha) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria inoculation (600 g/ha) were added to the seeds before they were sown. This led to better growth, yield and seed quality.

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