The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of tannery sludge addition on soil fertility, nodulation and dry matter yield by cowpea. The study was conducted in greenhouse using tannery sludge applied to soil, and cowpea seeds inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. Data were collected at 35 and 49 days after plant emergence. Tannery sludge increased soil pH and organic matter, calcium and sodium content. There was an increase in soil salinity with application of the residue. There was also an increase in the dry matter yield of cowpea with tannery sludge addition, however, in higher rates, the residue decreased the Bradyrhizobium sp nodulation.
Bradyrhizobium; biological indicator; Vigna unguiculata
