Correlation of growth in leaves and nodulation cowpea in Madagascar

Cowpea is one of the world's food legumes. It has agri-food potential, but it is very little known in Madagascar. The overall objective of this work is to develop research on this legume in order to diversify its development in Madagascar. Leaves and nodules of cowpea of the black eyes variety from the three massive production zones constitute the biological material. Leaf weight, number of nodules and nodule diameter were measured. In the dry season, the number of nodules at the 10JAS stage in all the zones does not show any significant variation, the coefficient of variation of which is 12.67%. Linear correlations between leaf mass and nodule diameter in the dry season exist in the dry season at the 10DAS (Pr > F=0.031), FB (Pr > F= 0.000) FLR (Pr > F= 0.003) and FRT (Pr > F) stages =0.000). The correlation between nodule diameter and leaf weight is explained by the proportionality between nodule diameter and the physiological activity of Rhizobia which is conditioned by their age. The analysis of the chemical compounds of the leaves and the characterization of the Rhizobia will follow this work in order to valorize them in the food industry.

Key-words:Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, Rhizobia, food industry, Malagasy Academy

16/03/2023