Biofertilizer properties of Glomus clarum and G. deserticula in cowpea(Vigna unguiculata) cultivars

Abstract

The potentiality of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) as bio-fertilizer was assessed using Glomus clarum and G. deserticula. The sterilized soil was inoculated with varying concentration of the two species (0, 10, 20 and 30g/pot). Four cowpea seeds (Var. IAR-1074) were planted per pot for proliferation of the AMF. Eight weeks after planting (WAP) the soil samples were taken from each treatment and analyzed. From the results, the two species show no significant impact (P>0.05) on the various soil parameters, except the pH, organic carbon, organic matter, Mg and Fe concentration which were significantly different. The G. clarum showed a significantly higher pH value (P˂0.05) at 20g/pot (7.450 ± 0.32) and 30g/pot (7.073 ±0.112) respectively. In addition, increase in concentration of G. clarum tends to lead to increasing soil pH, from slightly acidic (6.888) to neutral (7.450). Similarly, in organic carbon, organic matter, Mg and Fe at various concentrations, G. clarum was significantly higher (P˂0.05) than the G. deserticula. It can thus be concluded that G. clarum has a better bio-fertilizer properties than G. deserticula. The AMF used in this study have the potential to improve soil fertility although the impact varies with species of Arbuscular Micorrhizal Fungi.