Effect of Soil Conditioners and Soil Moisture Regimes on Nodulation and Growth of Three Legume.
(S06-soliman816675-poster)
Authors:
E.M. Soliman* - University of Maryland Eastern Shore F.M. Hashem - University of Maryland Eastern Shore A.L. Allen - University of Maryland Eastern Shore R.B. Dadson - University of Maryland Eastern Shore K.A. Abou-Zeid - University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Abstract:
Drought and elevated summer temperatures severely depress growth and productivity of food legume crops in the Delmarva region. Therefore, the responses of three elite genotypes of cowpea, soybeans and faba beans to four soil water regimes (25, 50, 75 and 100% of field holding capacity) were examined in greenhouse experiments. Soil was also amended with three soil conditioners (chicken manure, Tera-Sorb, Polysaccharide gum) and their combinations. Nodulation and nitrogen fixation potential of these crops were also studied under adverse drought conditions. Results indicate that legume species varied significantly in their growth responses to the various moisture regimes with cowpeas being the most tolerant species to drought stresses. California Blackeye no. 5 was the only cowpea genotype that was severely suppressed by the 25 and 50% moisture regimes. Growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and faba bean genotypes differed significantly due to the various moisture regimes and the type of soil conditioners applied. When soil was amended with Terra-Sorb either alone or in combination with chicken manure, growth of cowpeas, soybeans and faba beans was enhanced significantly even at low levels of moisture regimes.
Speaker Information: Ezzat Soliman, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Department of AgricultureUniversity of Maryland, Princess Anne, MD 21853; Phone: (410)651-6625; E-mail:
Session Information: Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Presentation Start: 2:00 PM (Poster Board Number: 1708)
Keywords: Soybean; Faba bean; Cowpea; Drought stress
