THE EFFECTS OF SOURCES AND LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) VARIETIES
THE EFFECTS OF SOURCES AND LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) VARIETIES
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Date
1987-09
Authors
TENEBE, VINCENT ADO
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Abstract
An experiment was conducted at Samaru during the
wet season to study the effect of sources and levels of
phosphorus on the growth and yield of cowpes (Vigna unguiculata
(L) Walp) varieties. The treatments consisted of four cowpea
varieties (1696, SVU48, 176B, 339-1); four P-levels (0, 18.5,
37.0, 55.5 kg P2O5/ha), and two P-sources (Diammonium
phosphate 'DAP', single superphosphate 'SSP').
The study revealed that cowpea growth was better with the
use of SSP than DAP. Crop growth and yield increased significantly
with increasing P-levels and application of 37 kg P2O5/ha
gave 54% higher seed yield than the control. No significant
yield advantages were obtained with applying higher P-levels.
Although 1696 grew more vigorously than the other varieties,
it did not produce harvestable yields. SVUI48 yielded and 30%higher
than 176B and 339-1 respectively. The interaction effect of
P-levels x variety influenced grain yield significantly, while
P-sources x variety significantly influenced crop earliness to
flowering, number of flowers, pods, seeds and pod weight per
plant. Grain yield was significantly and positively correlated
with yield components (number of flowers, pods, seeds per plant,
1000- seed weight) and with growth characters (plant height,
number of leaves and leaf area per plant.
The study, therefore, confirms the adequacy of the current
IAR recommendation of 37 kg P2O5ha and reveals the superiority
of SSP over DAP for cowpea production in the Nigerian savannas.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree of Master of
Science in Agronomy
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA
NIGERIA.
Keywords
EFFECTS,, SOURCES,, LEVELS,, PHOSPHORUS,, GROWTH,, YIELD,, COWPEA,, Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp,, VARIETIES