Growth and yield response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to soils from different fallow physiognomies in the rainforest zone of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seedlings to soil collected from four fallows of different physiognomy. Seedlings of cowpea weregrown from seeds on soil samples collected from the four different fallow statuses(Panicum maximum-dominated fallow soil, Chromolaena odorata-dominated fallow soil,Tithonia spp.-dominated fallow soil and bush fallow soil that contains many herbaceousplant species) in plastic containers each having fifteen replicates. Among the growth characteristics assessed the number of nodules and stem dry weight being the most influenced.Panicum maximum-dominated fallow soil with greater organic matter content producedthe most desirable growth characteristics during the growing period and at harvest. The results were used to deduce the best type of fallow soil for cowpea cultivation

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