Effect of Intercropping, Bradyrhizobium Inoculation, Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Growth, Yield and Seed Quality of Cowpea and Sorghum under Rainfed Conditions
Effect of Intercropping, Bradyrhizobium Inoculation, Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Growth, Yield and Seed Quality of Cowpea and Sorghum under Rainfed Conditions
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Date
2015-06-17
Authors
Mohamedzein, Ekhlas Mohamedzein Musa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UOFK
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out, at the experimental farm of the
University of Sennar, Abu Naama Sennar State,, for two successive
seasons, to study the effect of intercropping, Bradyrhizobium, nitrogen
and phosphorus on the growth, yield and seed quality of cowpea and
sorghum under rainfed conditions. The results showed that intercropping
significantly increased the nitrogen, phosphorus content of the shoots
cowpea and sorghum, as well as the protein content, the in vitro protein
digestibility and the fiber content of seeds.
Bradyrhizobium, nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased
the nodules number, nodules dry weight, dry matter content, plant height,
nitrogen and phosphorus contents and yield of cowpea. Nitrogen and
phosphorus significantly increased number of leaves, leaf area, plant
height, shoot dry weight and yield of sorghum. Moreover,
Bradyrhizobium significantly increased moisture, ash, fiber, protein and
tannin content as well as in vitro protein digestibility of cowpea and
sorghum seeds and significantly decreased the carbohydrates content.
Furthermore, nitrogen and phosphorus significantly improved the
hydration coefficient, moisture, ash, fiber, fat and protein content and
significantly decreased the carbohydrates of cowpea and sorghum.
All the values of the land equivalent ratio (LER) were more than
one, which indicates the efficiency of the intercropping system in
utilizing resources in comparison to the sole cropping of the component
crops.
In conclusion, intercropping, Bradyrhizobium inoculation and
chemical fertilizers seems to improve the growth, yield and seed quality
of both crops. However, more research is needed in intercropping,
biological and chemical fertilizers in rainfed areas.
Description
Keywords
Sorghum
Citation
University of khartoum