Evaluation Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Crop Production and Protein Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under Different Interval of Irrigation

BACKGROUND: To manage and keep production of pulse crop under arid and semiarid agro ecosystems improve crop adoption and symbiosis may be a way to produce economic yield and reduce input of irrigation water and fertilizer. OBJECTIVES: Current research was conducted to evaluate effect of different irrigation regime and Mycorrhizal fungi on quantitative and qualitative traits of cowpea. METHODS: This study was carried out according split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design with four replications along 2017 year. The Main plot included different interval of irrigation at four level (55, 80, 105 and 130 mm evaporation from Class A evaporation pan) and Mycorrhizal fungi at two level (nonuse of Mycorrhizal or control and use Mycorrhizal) belonged to Sub plot. RESULT: Result of analysis of variance indicated effect of different interval of irrigation and mycorrhizal fungi on all measured traits was significant, but interaction effect of treatments (instead seed yield) was not significant. As for Duncan classification made with respect to different interval of irrigation the highest number of pod per m2 (127), number of pod per plant (14), number of seed per pod (12), 100-seed weight (22), seed yield (233 gr.m-2) and protein yield (55 gr.m-2) belonged to 80 mm evaporation pan treatment and the lowest amount of mentioned traits was for 130 mm evaporation pan treatment. Evaluation mean comparison result of interaction effect of treatments indicated maximum seed yield (240 gr.m-2) was noted for 80 mm evaporation pan and use of mycorrhiza and lowest one (171 gr.m-2) belonged to 130 mm evaporation pan and non-application of mycorrhiza. CONCLUSION: Generally according result of current research irrigation intervals at 80 mm evaporation pan with application of mycorrhiza in studied areas especially under drought stress is recommended.