ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
cowpea
;
plant biomass
;
plant density
;
plant mineral nutrition
;
response
;
Vigna unguiculata
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract A greenhouse study was carried out using cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) grown in Perlite® and inoculated with Nitragin® to investigate the concentration of plant nutrients and planting density required for optimum biomass production. Five concentrations (full, 0.5, 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 strength) of Bisseling's nutrient solution and five planting densities (one to five plants per pot) were tested in a factorial randomized Graeco-Latin square design. Growth was determined as fresh and dry weights of leaves, stems, petioles, roots, flowers and pods, and whole plant. Optimum biomass production was found at 0.5 strength nutrient solution and a density of one plant per pot. Plants were more sensitive to higher planting density than to alterations of nutrient level. Over a twenty-fold range of nutrient supply, whole plant biomass yield varied at most by 44%, whereas increasing planting density from one to five plants per pot decreased biomass production by as much as 77%. There is a decrease in the shoot/root ratio as nutrient level decreases. The data suggests a potential for higher seed production at the higher densities and lowest nutrient levels, but this data was inconclusive.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02214546
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