Evaluating the Potential Effect of Foliar Fertilizers on Cowpea Growth and Yield

Isbel F. Chakanyuka (), Solomon Mupeti, Charity Pisa, Nyamande Mapope, Cosmas Parwada (), Tony Tauro, Justin Chipomho (), Benhildah Masuka and Wonder Ngezimana

Canadian Journal of Agriculture and Crops, 2019, vol. 4, issue 2, 144-152

Abstract: A experiment to evaluate performance of foliar fertilizers on cowpea growth and yield was conducted in the 2015/16 Zimbabwean summer season. This experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Treatments were; a control (no fertilizer), 300 kg/ha compound D only, 300 kg/ha compound D + foliar fertilizers, 150 kg/ha compound D + foliar fertilizers and foliar fertilizers only. Leaf number, branch number, pod number, biomass, pod weight and grain weight were measured. Application of foliar fertilizers had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on growth by increasing the leaf number per plant at 5 weeks after planting. Leaf number was in the order of 112.05 (300 kg/ha compound D + foliar fertilizers)>104.8 (300kg/ha compound D only) >84.55 (150 kg/ha compound D + foliar fertilizers >76.6 (control)> 73.95 (foliar fertilizers only). Foliar fertilizer application also had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on pod number. A combination of compound D + foliar fertilizers had the highest pod number 29.55 followed by compound D (26.72) and the least was from control (16.9). Grain yield of compound D + foliar fertilizers (0.35) was not statistically different from that of compound D only (0.32), but both were significantly (p < 0.05) different from the other treatments. Results showed that the effect of foliar fertilizers is most attributed if used in combination with compound D (basal fertilizer). There is need for further research to investigate if residual soil fertility can affect the yield of cowpea concerning the foliar applications.

Keywords: Biomass; Fertilization; Folia; Growth; Legume; Mobilization; Volatilization. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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