Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and Weed Infestation as Affected by Cultivar and N-Sources in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

A screen house experiment was conducted early in 2019 at the screen house of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Gidan-kwano campus, Minna, Niger State, to investigate the response of some selected cowpea cultivars to three sources of Nitrogen. Three cowpea cultivars (SamPea 15, SamPea 16 and Kananado white) were tested against three Nitrogen sources in sole and combined form (Control, 30kg urea N, 30kg urea N + Agrolyzer, Gw5 inoculant, 30kg urea N + Agrolyzer + Gw5 inoculant). The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. The outcome of the experiment showed that SamPea 16 significantly increased the plant height, lowered weed density, lowered weed dry weight, increased branches, number of leaves, leaf area, as well as shoot and root biomass compared to SamPea 15. On the other hand, 30kg urea N + Agrolyzer + Gw5 inoculant significantly produced tallest plant, lowest weed density, lowest weed dry weight, more branches, leaves, leaf area, more shoot and root biomass, though statistically similar to the use of urea or Gw5 inoculant alone. Gw5 inoculant alone also improved nodule number and nodule dry weight. SamPea 16 can therefore inoculated with Gw5 inoculant to supplement the nitrogen supplied in cowpea production and curb the menace of the abuse of inorganic fertilizer in the advent of global warming.