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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an important legume grown primarily in semi-arid
area. Its production is generally inhibited by various abiotic and biotic stresses. The use of beneficial
microorganisms (e.g., plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
(AMF)) can enhance agricultural production, as these microorganisms can improve soil fertility
and plant tolerance to environmental stresses, thus enhancing crop yield in an eco-friendly manner.
Application of PGPB and AMF in large scale agriculture needs to be improved. Thus, the use of seed
coating could be an efficient mechanism for placement of inocula into soils. The aim of this study was
to evaluate the effects of the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis BEG140 and the PGPB Pseudomonas libanensis
TR1 alone or in combination on the biomass and physiological traits of cowpea. Four treatments
were set: (i) non-inoculated control; (ii) PGPB; (iii) AMF applied via seed coating; and (iv) PGPB +
AMF applied via seed coating. Cowpea plants inoculated via seed coating with R. irregularis and
those inoculated with R. irregularis + P. libanensis showed root mycorrhizal colonization of 21.7%
and 24.2%, respectively. PGPB P. libanensis was efficient in enhancing plant biomass and seed yield.
There was no benefit of single (AMF) or dual (PGPB + AMF) inoculation on plant growth or seed
yield. The application of beneficial soil microorganisms can be a viable approach for sustainable
cowpea production in precision agriculture scenarios.
Description
Keywords
plant growth promoting bacteria sustainable agriculture arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi seed coating