Browsing by Author "Mahamadou, Hamadou"

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    Biological nitrogen fixation potential of cowpea under composted millet glume and mineral fertilizer application in Sahelian Zone of Niger
    (2015-02-24) Mahamadou, Hamadou
    Cowpea (vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is one of the cash crops grown in West Africa, where farming systems are characterized by low soil nutrient contents and limited fertilizer inputs. Therefore, the ability of cowpea to fix atmospheric nitrogen is very important in these farming systems. In this study conducted at N’dounga research station INRAN/ Kollo, the amount of nitrogen fixed by cowpea amended with millet glume compost and mineral fertilizer was assessed using the Total Nitrogen Difference (TND) method. The results showed that the combined application of composted millet glume and mineral fertilizer contributed more to nodulation than mineral fertilizer alone. Furthermore it was observed that 3 t ha-1 composted millet glume + 15 kg N ha-1 + 26 kg P ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (2764 kg ha-1). Grain N and P uptake were significantly higher in the combined compost and mineral fertilizer treatments. The 3 t ha-1 composted millet glume + 15 kg N ha-1 + 26 kg P ha-1 gave the highest nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship (R2 = 0.84) between grain yield and nodule dry weight. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.98) was observed between grain yield and amount of nitrogen fixed. The proportion of nitrogen derived from atmosphere (Ndfa) in cowpea ranged from 33% to 78%. Combined application of composted millet glume and mineral fertilizer treatments had significant (P < 0.05) effect on the proportions of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere and the amounts of N fixed by cowpea. Nitrogen fixed was highest (69.57 kg ha-1) under 3 t ha-1 composted millet glume + 15 kg N ha-1 + 26 kg P ha-1 and represented 262.53% increase over the control (19.19 kg ha-1).