Exploring the effect of seed biopriming with MPKV bacterial consortium on macronutrient uptake, soil fertility and economic returns in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2024 at the College of Agriculture, Pune to evaluate the influence of seed biopriming with the MPKV bacterial consortium on growth, nutrient uptake, and yield performance of cowpea. The consortium, formulated at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, comprises beneficial microbial strains capable of nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization, thereby improving nutrient availability in the rhizosphere. Findings revealed that seed biopriming combined with 75% of the recommended fertilizer dose (RDF) proved most effective. This treatment achieved significantly higher germination (95.43%), plant height (47.53 cm at flowering and 63.60 cm at harvest), root length (17.93 cm and 22.30 cm), as well as maximum shoot (12.18 g plant⁻¹) and root dry matter (2.63 g plant⁻¹). Yield parameters were also enhanced, including number of nodules (32 plant⁻¹), pods per plant (43.33), 1000-seed weight (132.60 g), and seed yield (11.92 q ha⁻¹). In addition, greater uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (90.07, 17.54, and 45.15 kg ha⁻¹, respectively) and increased populations of Rhizobium, PSB, and KMB were recorded. Notably, the performance of the consortium with 75% RDF was statistically comparable to that with 100% RDF, indicating that 25% of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can be saved without compromising yield. Hence, seed biopriming with the MPKV bacterial consortium emerges as a sustainable strategy for improving cowpea productivity, nutrient efficiency, and soil microbial activity, while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.