EFFECTS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGAL STRAINS ON THE GROWTH OF COWPEA [VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.] IN THE PRESENCE OF TILEMSI NATURAL PHOSPHATE (TNP)

The growth of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] was evaluated in response to the inoculation of seeds at sowing with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus strain (Glomus aggregatum) in the presence of Tilemsi natural phosphate (TNP). The soil collected from the large cultivation plot of IPR/IFRA in Katibougou served as the substrate after sterilization. Sowing was done with 3 cowpea seeds per pot, and after one week, two plantlets were kept in each pot. The pots were placed on metallic tables in the greenhouse of the Soil Microbiology Unit (LMS)of LaboREM Biotech for the two months of the experimentThe results showed that, despite a low rate of root colonization by the mycorrhizal fungi (F: 80.75%; I: 7.31), the average growth of inoculated plants was more significant compared to non-inoculated plants. The results also indicate that the fungus + natural phosphate treatment significantly increased the average number of inflorescences, aerial, and root biomasses. The treatment with the fungus alone was more significant in terms of the frequency and intensity of mycorrhization. However, as biomass predicts yield, this study suggests that the mycorrhizal biofertilizer provides important benefits to the plant by solubilizing the TNP. Mycorrhizal fungi can thus be used to improve the growth and yield of cowpea in several agricultural perimeters after TNP application.