Responses of Mucuna flagellipes to Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates in an Ultisol

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted to investigate the responses of Mucuna flagellipes to single super phosphate fertilizer rates. The experiment consisted of five rates of single super phosphate fertilizer namely 0 kg P ha-1, 30 kg P ha-1, 40 kg P ha-1, 50 kg P ha-1 and 70 kg P ha-1 laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times in 2010 and 2011 cropping season at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Cross River State University of Science and Technology, Obubra, Cross River State, South East Nigeria. The obtained results showed that number of leaves per plant, plant height, leaf area index, number of nodules per plant and nodule dry weight per plant were most significantly (p < 0.05) pronounced at 164 days after planting at the highest application rate of 70 kg P ha-1than the other rates in 2010 and 2011 planting season. Pod yield per plant, seed yield per plant and seed yield per hectare were significantly (p < 0.05) the highest at 50 kg P ha-1. Generally, there was a consistent significant difference (p < 0.05) among the single super phosphate fertilizer rates on the growth and yield of Mucuna flagellipes. Application of 50 kg P ha-1 and 70 kg P ha-1of single super phosphate fertilizer should be used for the cultivation of Mucuna flagellipes.