EFFECT OF MOLYBDENUM FERTILIZATION ON SEED MOLYBDENUM CONTENT, NODULATION AND YIELD OF GROUNDNUT AND COWPEA GENOTYPES IN A SAVANNA ALFISOL
EFFECT OF MOLYBDENUM FERTILIZATION ON SEED MOLYBDENUM CONTENT, NODULATION AND YIELD OF GROUNDNUT AND COWPEA GENOTYPES IN A SAVANNA ALFISOL
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Date
2011-08
Authors
ADEOGUN, Tinuke Tawa Adebola
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Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Mo treatments (Mo levels and methods
of application) on seed Mo content, nodulation and yield of cowpea and groundnut
genotypes. The supply of Mo to planted grain legumes can be soil or foliar applied. A
third possible supply option, the Mo content of the seed (grain), has not been exploited.
This third option is expected to provide a more economically viable prospect of the
available options. The study had the following objectives: to determine the effects of Mo
fertilization and methods of application on the seed Mo content and on nodulation of
groundnut and cowpea genotypes. To achieve these, one greenhouse experiment and one
field trial were conducted. Treatments consisted of five levels of Mo soil applied (0, 100,
200, 300 and 500g Mo/ha) and one level of Mo applied foliar (200g Mo/ha). The test
crops were two groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 23 and SAMNUT 14) and two cowpea
varieties (IAR 48 and IT95K-499-35). Agronomic and soil parameters were measured.
Results of the study showed that the rate of 200g Mo/ha was optimal for growth,
nodulation and good yield of groundnut and cowpea genotypes, though suitable rates for
some parameters may range from 100 to 300g Mo/ha. Soil application was generally
superior to foliar application, but foliar application seemed to stimulate more root
development and Mo accumulation in the seeds of the planted grain legumes. Efficiency
of the foliar method or soil method of application varied within genotypes of the crop
species. Maximum grain yield of the groundnut genotypes were 700 kg/ha for SAMNUT
23 at 100g Mo/ha and 726 kg/ha for SAMNUT 14 at 300g Mo/ha. For the cowpea
genotypes, yield levels were 1218 kg/ha for IAR 48 at 200g Mo/ha soil applied and 1150
kg/ha for IT95K-499-35 at 200g Mo/ha soil applied. Mo application was found to
enhance organic carbon accretion in the soil by 6% under field conditions and 24% in
greenhouse situations and the cowpea crop was more efficient in this case. The
significance of P and K as well as Cu and Mo for good nodulation and yield of grain
legumes were derived from correlation relationship in this study. Soil Mo content
enhanced Mo accumulation in the grain. For 200g Mo/ha, the average seed Mo content
of the crops were found to be 6.96 mg/kg for groundnut and 6.20 mg/kg for cowpea.
Therefore, for good growth, nutrition, nodulation and yield of groundnut and cowpea
genotypes, the Mo content of the planted seed should be about 7.00mg/kg and above and
this level can be considered adequate for the crops without soil or foliar applied Mo in the
management of the planted grain legumes.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
In Partial Fulfillment for the Award of
Master of Science Degree in Soil Science
Department of Soil Science
Faculty of Agriculture
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Nigeria
Keywords
MOLYBDENUM FERTILIZATION,, MOLYBDENUM CONTENT,,, NODULATION,, YIELD OF GROUNDNUT AND COWPEA GENOTYPES IN A SAVANNA, ALFISOL.