Field trials were conducted during the 2015 wet season at the Bayero University Kano Teaching and Research Farm (110 58’N, 8025’E and 475m above sea level) and National Institute of Horticultural Research Technology (NIHORT) Bagauda (lat. 120 08'N, long. 80 32'E, 500m above sea level). The study was conducted to determine the response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties to rhizobium and phosphorus levels in the sudan savannah of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of four cowpea varieties (UAM-09-1051-1, IT99K-573-2-1, IT99K-573-1-1, and TVX 3236), rhizobium at (0, and 100g/ha) and phosphorus fertilizer (SSP) (0, 20, and 40kg/ha) which were laid out in a Split Plot Design (SPD). Phosphorus levels and inoculation were allocated to the main plot while variety occupied the sub plot. The result revealed that application of 40 kg/ha P2O5 statistically recorded the highest grain yield/ha at BUK. No significant phosphorus effect was recorded on grain yield/ha at Bagauda. Bradyrhizobium Spp. Inoculation on cowpea had also recorded a consistent result across the two locations with the exception of emergence count. Significantly higher emergence and 100-seed weight count were recorded at Bagauda and BUK respectively. Significantly higher grain yield was observed from inoculated plants at BUK (1007.220 kg/ha) and Bagauda (719.91 kg/ha). The findings of the study also revealed that there was significant varietal effect on cowpea growth and yield at both study locations. Higher grain yield was recorded from variety IT99k-573-2-1 (1193.400 kg/ha), followed by variety TVX 3236 (950.900 kg/ha) and IT99k-573-1-1 (776.500 kg/ha) at BUK while no significant effect of variety were recorded at Bagauda. Significant interactions in respect of phosphorus and rhizobium were also recorded on the growth and yield characters such as number of leaves/plant, nodules dry weight, 100-grain weight and grain yield kg/ha. The result of the simple correlation analysis revealed significant negative and positive association between most of the characters assessed. Based on the result of the study, application of 40 kg/ha P2O5 can be recommended for better cowpea growth and yield at BUK. Similarly, variety IT99k-573-2-1 can be recommended to BUK only.

Glory is to the creator and sustainer of the world, May his peace and blessings be upon his noble and our beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). I thank Him for giving me the ability, opportunity, health and strength to undertake this work successfully. In the conduct of this work and its write-up, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. M.A. Mahadi my able supervisor for his help, guidance, invaluable advice and encouragement. I would also like to thank Prof. B. M. Auwalu, Prof. S. G. ...

Agronomy; Cowpea; Food Security; Grain Legumes; Plant Breeding; Plant Production

Cowpeas; Varieties; Phosphorus; Productivity; Yields; Nigeria

Africa; West Africa

Nigeria

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