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Measurement of N2 fixation in 30 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes under field conditions in Ghana, using the15N natural abundance technique

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Abstract

In 2005 and 2006, 30 and 15 cowpea genotypes were respectively evaluated for plant growth and symbiotic performance at Manga in Northern Ghana, in order to identify N2-fixing potential of these cowpea genotypes as source of N for cropping systems. The results showed differences in biomass production by the 30 or 15 cowpea genotypes. In 2005, cultivars Fahari, Mchanganyiko, IT97K-499-39, IT93K-2045-29 and IT84S-2246 produced the most shoot biomass, while Apagbaala, Brown Eye, ITH98-46, Vita 7 and Iron Grey produced the least. Of the 15 genotypes tested in 2006, cv. TVu11424 produced the largest amount of biomass, and ITH98-46, the least. Isotopic analysis of15N in plant parts also revealed significant differences in δ15N of the cowpea genotypes studied. As a result, the percent N derived from fixation (% Ndfa) also differed among the cowpea genotypes tested in 2005, with only 5 out of the 30 cultivars obtaining over 50% of their N from symbiotic fixation. Whether expressed as mg N.plant−1 or kg N.ha−1, the levels of N2 fixation by the cowpea genotypes varied considerably during 2005 and 2006, with values of N contribution ranging from 14.1 kg N.ha−1 by cv. TVu1509 to 157.0 kg N.ha−1 by IT84S-2246 in 2005. The amounts of N-fixed in 2006 ranged from 16.7 kg N.ha−1 by cv. ITH98-46 to 171.2 kg N.ha−1 by TVu11424, clearly indicating genotypic differences in symbiotic N yield. Re-evaluating 15 out of the 30 cowpea genotypes for N2 fixation in 2006, revealed higher % Ndfa values (>50%) in all (15 cowpea genotypes) relative to those tested in 2005, indicating greater dependence on N2 fixation for their N nutrition even though, the actual amounts of fixed-N were lower in 2006. This was due, in part, to reduced plant biomass as a result of very late sampling in 2006, close to physiological maturity (72 DAP in 2006 vs. 46 DAP in 2005) when considerable leaf matter was lost. The amount of N-fixed in 2006 can therefore be considered as being under-estimated.

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  1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Arcadia Campus, Room 3-614E, 175 Nelson Mandela Drive, Private Bag X680, 0001, Pretoria, South Africa

    Alphonsus K. Belane & Felix D. Dakora

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  1. Alphonsus K. Belane
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  2. Felix D. Dakora
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Correspondence to Felix D. Dakora.

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Belane, A.K., Dakora, F.D. Measurement of N2 fixation in 30 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) genotypes under field conditions in Ghana, using the15N natural abundance technique. Symbiosis 48, 47–56 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179984

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179984

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