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Nitrogenase Activity and Nodule Biomass of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Decrease in Cover Crop Mixtures

Legume cover crops are often used to build soil nitrogen (N) fertility and there is increasing interest in cover crop mixtures. The objective of this mechanistic greenhouse study was to determine the effect of cover crop community diversity and soil fertility on nitrogenase activity and nodule biomass of cowpea. Cover crops were grown for 42–53 days, aboveground biomass was harvested, and nitrogenase activity was estimated with the acetylene reduction assay. Roots were then excavated to determine nodule and root biomass. Nitrogenase activity and nodule biomass per plant were greatest in cowpea monoculture and reduced by 71–98 percent in four-species mixtures. Reduced capacity for N2 fixation was partially driven by lower cowpea biomass in mixtures. The ratio of root nodule / shoot biomass increased by 81–297 percent in low-fertility relative to high-fertility soils, which contributed to increased nitrogenase activity. Results suggest cowpea monocultures in low-fertility soils have the greatest potential for N2 fixation.