Effects of light and temperature on nodulation of cowpea and hyacinth bean

Abstract

SUMMARYCowpea and hyacinth bean nodulated and grew well at 11–14 h and poorly at 8 h light duration. Nodulation and plant growth increased with increase in light intensity from 1·4 to 17·1 W/m2 but the natural light intensity (228·3 W/m2) inhibited nodulation in July and plant growth in December.Nodulation and growth of both crops were best at ‘moderate’ temperature and cowpea tolerated ‘warm’ more than ‘cool’ temperatures whereas hyacinth bean showed the reverse situation.Inoculation improved nodulation of cowpea but not hyacinth bean. Application of nitrogen did not improve the growth of plants affected by light and temperature.