Comparison of inoculation and chemical fertilization on the vigor of cowpea lots

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rhizobium inoculation and nitrogen fertilization
on the vigor of cowpea seeds and to verify if the inoculated bacteria were more efficient
that nitrogen fertilization, which would reduce the economic and environmental impacts. The
electrical conductivity, emergency and emergency speed index were determined. The experimental
design was a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replications, in
a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with four nitrogen fertilization doses (0, 20, 60 and 100 kg ha-1 of N)
and two treatments without and with inoculation. Seeds from plants without inoculation presented
higher leaching of electrolytes than inoculated ones. For the 20 kg ha-1 dose, there was
a higher electrolyte leaching value and a lower one for the 100 kg ha-1 dose of nitrogen. The
treatments used, except low doses of nitrogen fertilization, may contribute to the increase of
the vigor of cowpea seeds.