EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS ON NODULATION AND NITROGEN FIXATION IN BAMBARRA GROUNDNUT (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.)
ABSTRACT
A greenhouse experiment was setup at Kogi State University, Nigeria to evaluate the influence of different levels of phosphorus on nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Bambara groundnut. Soil sample at 0 – 15 cm depth were collected from Teaching and Research Farm of Kogi State University. The dried soil was weighed in 10 kg portions into ten litre plastic bucket. To each labeled pot was added the respective phosphorus levels and 20 ppm Urea. Each treatment was replicated 3 times and then arranged in Completely Randomized Design. The shoots were harvested at fifty percent flowering stage and the buckets were gently turned over to remove roots and nodules. Results indicated that there was significant difference among the means of the various treatment levels in the total nitrogen content and mean height of the plant. In all the parameters measured, the treatments were better than the control except for total nitrogen of soil after harvest. So that nitrogen fixation could benefit with the application of phosphorus.