485
4 Conclusions
This study established that cowpea nodulation is dependent on the cowpea genotype
and soil characteristics. The landrace cowpea variety performed poorly in nodule
colonization when compared to the open pollinated varieties (OPVs). Moreover, it
was established that percentage AMF colonization is dependent on the soil type and
the maize genotype. Interestingly, the landrace maize crop performed well in AMF
colonization, compared to the OPVs and hybrid. On the other hand, cowpea nodulation correlated positively with available phosphates and negatively with total nitrogen in the soil. This differed from AMF colonization, which correlated positively
with soil organic matter, pH and nitrogen but negatively with available phosphates.
Therefore, to enhance efficient delivery of essential agroecosystem services by rhizobia and AMF, future experiments should elucidate the greater role of soil characteristics and genotype under field conditions.
Acknowledgements This work was funded by The World Academy of Science (TWAS) and
Kenyatta University. The authors wish to thank the farmers at Machang’a and Kitui West for their
contributions and assistance during soil sampling.
References
Agoyi EE, Odong TL, Tumuhairwe JB, Chigeza G, Diers BW, Tukamuhabwa P (2017) Genotype
by environment effects on promiscuous nodulation in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Agric
Food Secur 6(1):29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-017-0107-7
Antunes PM, Goss MJ (2005) Communication in the tripartite symbiosis formed by arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia and legume plants: a review. In: Zobel R, Wright S (eds), Roots
and soil management: interactions between roots and the soil. Agron Monogr 48. ASA, CSSA
and SSSA, Madison, WI, pp 199–222
Aquino S, Scabora MH, Antonio J, Maria S, Maltoni KL, Maria A, Cassiolato R (2015)
Mycorrhizal colonization and diversity and corn genotype yield in soils of the Cerrado region,
Brazil. Colonização e diversidade micorrízica e produtividade de genótipos de milho, em solo
de Cerrado:4107–4118. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6Supl2p4107
Argaw A (2013) Evaluation of symbiotic effectiveness and size of resident Rhizobium leguminosarum var. viciae nodulating lentil (Lens culinaris medic) in some Ethiopian soils. Arch Agron
Soil Sci 59(7):929–945. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2012.690144
Argaw A, Muleta D (2018) Effect of genotypes-Rhizobium-environment interaction on nodulation
and productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Eastern Ethiopia. Environ Syst
Res 6(1):14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-017-0091-8
Bargaz A, Faghire M, Abdi N, Farissi M, Sifi B, Drevon J, Ghoulam C (2012) Low soil phosphorus availability increases acid phosphatases activities and affects P partitioning in nodules,
seeds and rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris. Agriculture 2:139–153. https://doi.org/10.3390/
agriculture2020139
Battini F, Grønlund M, Agnolucci M, Giovannetti M, Jakobsen I (2017) Facilitation of phosphorus
uptake in maize plants by mycorrhizosphere bacteria article. Sci Rep 7(1):1–11. https://doi.
org/10.1038/s41598-017-04959-0
Exploiting Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Rhizobia-Legume Symbiosis to Increase…
4 Conclusions
This study established that cowpea nodulation is dependent on the cowpea genotype
and soil characteristics. The landrace cowpea variety performed poorly in nodule
colonization when compared to the open pollinated varieties (OPVs). Moreover, it
was established that percentage AMF colonization is dependent on the soil type and
the maize genotype. Interestingly, the landrace maize crop performed well in AMF
colonization, compared to the OPVs and hybrid. On the other hand, cowpea nodulation correlated positively with available phosphates and negatively with total nitrogen in the soil. This differed from AMF colonization, which correlated positively
with soil organic matter, pH and nitrogen but negatively with available phosphates.
Therefore, to enhance efficient delivery of essential agroecosystem services by rhizobia and AMF, future experiments should elucidate the greater role of soil characteristics and genotype under field conditions.
Acknowledgements This work was funded by The World Academy of Science (TWAS) and
Kenyatta University. The authors wish to thank the farmers at Machang’a and Kitui West for their
contributions and assistance during soil sampling.
References
Agoyi EE, Odong TL, Tumuhairwe JB, Chigeza G, Diers BW, Tukamuhabwa P (2017) Genotype
by environment effects on promiscuous nodulation in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Agric
Food Secur 6(1):29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-017-0107-7
Antunes PM, Goss MJ (2005) Communication in the tripartite symbiosis formed by arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia and legume plants: a review. In: Zobel R, Wright S (eds), Roots
and soil management: interactions between roots and the soil. Agron Monogr 48. ASA, CSSA
and SSSA, Madison, WI, pp 199–222
Aquino S, Scabora MH, Antonio J, Maria S, Maltoni KL, Maria A, Cassiolato R (2015)
Mycorrhizal colonization and diversity and corn genotype yield in soils of the Cerrado region,
Brazil. Colonização e diversidade micorrízica e produtividade de genótipos de milho, em solo
de Cerrado:4107–4118. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n6Supl2p4107
Argaw A (2013) Evaluation of symbiotic effectiveness and size of resident Rhizobium leguminosarum var. viciae nodulating lentil (Lens culinaris medic) in some Ethiopian soils. Arch Agron
Soil Sci 59(7):929–945. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2012.690144
Argaw A, Muleta D (2018) Effect of genotypes-Rhizobium-environment interaction on nodulation
and productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Eastern Ethiopia. Environ Syst
Res 6(1):14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-017-0091-8
Bargaz A, Faghire M, Abdi N, Farissi M, Sifi B, Drevon J, Ghoulam C (2012) Low soil phosphorus availability increases acid phosphatases activities and affects P partitioning in nodules,
seeds and rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris. Agriculture 2:139–153. https://doi.org/10.3390/
agriculture2020139
Battini F, Grønlund M, Agnolucci M, Giovannetti M, Jakobsen I (2017) Facilitation of phosphorus
uptake in maize plants by mycorrhizosphere bacteria article. Sci Rep 7(1):1–11. https://doi.
org/10.1038/s41598-017-04959-0
Exploiting Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Rhizobia-Legume Symbiosis to Increase…