Insights into the rooting zone of sustainable legume cultivation in Namibia

11 May 2023, by Joscha Becker

The article “Effects of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) inoculation on nodule development and rhizosphere carbon and nitrogen content under simulated drought” by Joscha N. Becker, Janis Grozinger, Annette Eschenbach and colleagues has been published in Plant and Soil.

This article provides mechanistic insight into sustainable land-use management and legume cultivation in southern Africa. The Results show that nodulation of cowpeas is strongly limited by water stress, which substantially affects rhizosphere and bulk soil C and N contents – independent of inoculation. A temporally enhanced rhizodeposition occurs after ripening, which could help to maintain soil C and N pools after legume cultivation.

The publication is open access and can be foundfollowing the Link.