Pre-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense in cowpea seeds using polymeric and peat carrier

Abstract

Cowpea is benefited by biological nitrogen fixation and the inoculation of its seeds one way
to the maximization of productivity. It is recommended that inoculation be done no later than
24 hours before planting. This requirement it makes difficult the conduction in extensive areas
of planting. In this way, the objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of polymeric and
peat inoculants to maintain rhizobia cells viable until 14 days after the inoculation of seeds; in
laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, both of the carriers maintained cell viability
until 14 days after inoculation. In the field, seeds pre-inoculated with polymeric formulation with
7 and 14 days and peat with 7 days, both preceding the planting, showed best mass result of
nodules. The results suggest that pre-inoculation of cowpea seeds for up to 14 days prior to
planting date it is a viable practice that can contribute for the adoption of inoculation technology
in the crop.