Importance of bacteroid number in nodules and effective nodule mass to dinitrogen fixation by cowpeas

Biological nitrogen fixation is considered an important trait of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. var. ‘California Blackeye’ No. 5) for economical production yet the process does not alone provide the quantity of nitrogen required by the plant for maximum productivity. Two experiments were undertaken to determine the potential of an increase in nodule mass and number of bacteroids resulting in increased nitrogen fixation. Cowpeas were grown in a glasshouse for 7 weeks under conditions forcing near total dependence on biological nitrogen fixation for growth. Nodule mass on the roots was varied by inoculating seeds with various ratios of effective and ineffective rhizobia that could be identified serologically and by the color of nodule formed. The results of both experiments demonstrated a linear relationship between total nodule mass formed by the effective rhizobia and quantity of nitrogen fixed. The regression coefficients were high in both experiments (r=0.99** and 0.91**). The relationship between total nitrogen fixed and total number of bacteroids of the effective strain was not consistent. In one experiment the regression coefficient was 0.93** but in the other experiment it was 0.65**. From these results it appears that there is good potential for increasing nitrogen fixation in cowpeas by increasing nodule mass. An increase in nodule mass would also result in an increase in the number of bacteroids.