Photosynthetica 1999, 36(13):413-422 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1007155710506

Effect of Rhizobium Sp. Inoculation on N2-Fixing and Photosynthetic Activities of Two Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Genotypes

D. Lippi1, M.R. De Paolis1, M. Osmi1, F. Pietrini1, T. Pietrosanti1, M.C. Villani1, A. Massacci1
1 Plant Biochemistry and Ecophysiology Institute, National Research Council, Research Area of Rome, Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy e-mail

Time course of symbiotic N2-fixing and photosynthetic activities during vegetative growth from 30 d after plantation until pod set was measured in the CB5 and 7964 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] genotypes of contrasting senescence traits. At emergence, seedlings were inoculated with a "non-cowpea miscellany" Rhizobium strain generally used to inoculate Cicer arietinum. Maximum N2-fixing activity occurred in inoculated CB5 and 7964 plants about 54 and 68 d after plantation, respectively. A similar temporal shift of maximum was found for net photosynthetic rate (P N), confirming a good coordination between the two processes. A higher P N was found from the first measurements in inoculated plants of both genotypes as compared with uninoculated plants. Apparently, the maximum activity of both N2-fixation and P N was timed to occur at a particular stage of plant ontogeny correlating the high N supply with the high N demand by the plant. Rhizobium inoculation did not significantly affect partitioning coefficients of biomass to various plant organs but extended leaf longevity by about 10 d in the CB5 genotype, retarding thus the monocarpic senescence.

Additional key words: acetylene reduction; leaf area; monocarpic senescence; plant ontogeny; ureides

Prepublished online: November 1, 1999; Published: January 1, 1999  Show citation

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Lippi, D., De Paolis, M.R., Osmi, M., Pietrini, F., Pietrosanti, T., Villani, M.C., & Massacci, A. (1999). Effect of Rhizobium Sp. Inoculation on N2-Fixing and Photosynthetic Activities of Two Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Genotypes. Photosynthetica, 37(3), 413-422. doi: 10.1023/A:1007155710506
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