Dry matter accumulation, partition and yield in three Cowpea (vigna unguiculata (l) walp) varieties as influenced by phosphorus fertilizer application

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2013-08-01
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Phosphorus is a major limiting nutrient in Ghanaian soils. Selection of cowpea varieties that produce good seed yield under low soil phosphorus or those with high phosphorus response efficiency can be a low input approach in solving this problem in Ghana. Two field experiments were conducted in 2012 at the Plantation Crops Section of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to evaluate the effect of phosphorus fertilizer application on dry matter accumulation, partition and yield in three cowpea varieties. The design used in both studies was a 3×4 factorial arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. Three cowpea varieties Asetenapa (IT81D-1951), Asomdwee (IT94K-410-2) and IT89KD-347-57 combined four P rates (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) application. The land was ploughed, harrowed and plots were laid out. Plot size was 3 m × 5 m. Each plot consisted of nine rows in both seasons and planting was done at the beginning of the rains at a spacing of 60 × 20 cm. All agronomic practices were observed. Response variables measured were phenological observations, growth and yield components, and nodulation. The results indicated that growth and growth components varied significantly with cowpea varieties. Asetenapa flowered earlier followed by Asomdwee and IT89KD-347-57. Phosphorus fertilizer application significantly reduced days to 50 % flowering. Dry matter production and distribution were significantly affected by cowpea varieties. Asetenapa and Asomdwee were more efficient in partitioning photosynthate into the economic parts. Yield and yield components were significantly affected by cowpea vi variety and P fertilizer application rates over the control. Asomdwee produced the greatest seed yield of 1557.00 kg ha-1 and 1415.00 kg ha-1 for major and minor seasons respectively. P fertilizer application resulted in increased seed yield with each increase in P rate. The highest seed yield of 1682.00 and 1476.00 kg ha-1 for major and minor seasons respectively was produced when 60 kg P2O5 ha-1was applied. The interaction of variety and P fertilizer application was not significant for seed yield.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Master of Science Degree in Agronomy (Crop Physiology,August,2013
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