Root development and nodulation in Cowpea as affected by application of organic and different types of inorganic/plastic mulches

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of organic and plastic mulching on root development and nodulation related biometric properties of cowpea determined at different stages of crop growth (60 DAS and at harvest after 90 DAS). At 60 DAS and 90 DAS (at harvest stage), majority of the root development parameters such as root length, number of secondary roots/lateral roots, root weight with nodules, root weight without nodules were recorded highest in plants grown under organic mulch treatments with different level of drip irrigation. Similar trend was also observed in regard to root nodulation development in various mulch treatments. Highest number of nodules per main root of plant i.e., 12.67 and 17.00 after 60 DAS and 90 DAS (at harvest stage) was observed in NM-80% and OM- 60% treatments respectively, At 60 DAS and 90 DAS (at harvest stage), highest number of root nodules per secondary/lateral root (184.67 and 195.50) and total root nodules per plant (195.00 and 211.00) was recorded in organic mulch treatment plants. Fresh weight of total nodule per plant after 60 DAS and 90 DAS was recorded highest in NM-100% (2.72 gm) and OM-100 % (5.77gm). In conclusion, overall development of plant roots and root nodulation was positively affected by organic mulches while black mulch has negatively influence on these plant parameters.