scholarly journals Nitrogen fixation by groundnut and velvet bean and residual benefit to a subsequent maize crop

2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1183-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambate Okito ◽  
Bruno José Rodrigues Alves ◽  
Segundo Urquiaga ◽  
Robert Michael Boddey
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Natural Fallow ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

Chemical fertilisers are rarely avaiable to poor farmers, for whom the nitrogen (N) is often the most limiting element for cereal grain production. The objective of this study was to quantify the contribution of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) crops using the 15N natural abundance (delta15N) technique and to determine their residual effect and that of a natural fallow, on growth and N accumulation by two rustic maize varieties. The contribution of BNF calculated from delta15N data was 40.9, 59.6 and 30.9 kg ha-1, for groundnut, velvet bean and the natural fallow, respectively. The only legume grain harvested was from the groundnut, which yielded approximately 1.000 kg ha-1. The subsequent maize varieties ("Sol de Manhã" and "Caiana Sobralha") yielded between 1.958 and 2.971 kg ha-1, and were higher after velvet bean for both maize varieties and "Sol da Manhã" groundnut, followed by "Caiana" after groundnut and, finally, the natural fallow. For a small-holder producer the most attractive system is the groundnut followed by maize, as, in this treatment, both groundnut and maize grain harvest are possible. However, a simple N balance calculation indicated that the groundnut-maize sequence would, in the long term, deplete soil N reserves, while the velvet bean-maize sequence would lead to a build up of soil nitrogen.

scholarly journals Screening Cover Crops for Soil Macrofauna Abundance and Diversity in Conservation Agriculture

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mutondwa M. Phophi ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Alfred O. Odindo ◽  
Lembe S. Magwaza
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Natural Fallow

Soil health is important for sustainable crop production. Frequent soil cultivation has a negative impact on soil health, resulting in loss of soil macrofauna. Conservation agriculture can be practiced to improve soil health by improving the abundance of soil macrofauna. Three leguminous cover crops were tested for soil macrofauna abundance Vigna unguiculata, (cowpea) Lablab purpureus L. (dolichos lablab) and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC (velvet bean). The experiment was done in two contrasting experimental sites of KwaZulu-Natal (Ukulinga and Bergville) in a randomised complete block design replicated three times. Bare plot and herbicide treatments served as controls. Natural fallow was used to make a comparison to all the other treatments. Cowpea (39 species) had the highest soil macrofauna abundance in Bergville. Lablab (57 species) had the highest soil macrofauna in Ukulinga. Cowpea (0.75 species) and lablab (0.61 species) improved soil macrofauna diversity respectively in Bergville. Natural fallow (0.46 species) had the lowest soil macrofauna diversity in Bergville. Lablab (0.56 species) and velvet bean (0.74 species) had high soil macrofauna species diversity in Ukulinga. Bare plot (0.3 species) had the lowest soil macrofauna species diversity respectively. It can be concluded that cowpea and lablab can be recommended for improving soil macrofauna abundance in conservation agriculture.

Biological nitrogen fixation in field pea and vetch: Response to inoculation and residual effect on maize in the Pampean region

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 126016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Martín Enrico ◽  
Carlos Fabian Piccinetti ◽  
Mirian Raquel Barraco ◽  
Maria Belén Agosti ◽  
Roxana Paola Eclesia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Pampean Region ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

scholarly journals Green Manure Species for Phytoremediation of Soil With Tebuthiuron and Vinasse

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luziane Cristina Ferreira ◽  
Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira ◽  
Renato Nallin Montagnolli ◽  
Evandro Pereira Prado ◽  
Ronaldo da Silva Viana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Weed Growth

Tebuthiuron is often used to control weed growth in sugarcane cultures. This herbicide is highly toxic and can persist in soil for up to 2 years according to its degradation half-life. Hence, its residual effect is highly hazardous for the environment and local habitants via leaching, surface runoff. Screening out of species of green manure as potential phytoremediators for tebuthiuron in soil, with and with no vinasse, accordingly is the scientific point of this study. Green manure species selected for the trial in greenhouse were jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L. Millsp.)], velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.)], and millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.], and Crotalaria juncea L. as bioindicator of this herbicide. The determination/quantification of height, stem diameter, and number of leaves in all plants were monitored, as well as other morphological traits for drafting any inference on biomass production. Moreover, ecotoxicity bioassays were performed from soil samples at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Results showed preliminary evidence of effective phytoremediation capacity by M. pruriens and P. glaucum in soils with tebuthiuron, as the growth of C. juncea was sustained. Both Gompertz approach and principal component analysis predicted that these green manure species could grow healthier and for longer periods in soils containing tebuthiuron and vinasse and, thus, reduce physiological anomalies due to ecotoxicity. The implications of this study may aid in the implementation of cost-effective strategies targeting decontamination of tebuthiuron in sugarcane crops with vinasse application in fertigation.

Biological nitrogen fixation associated with tropical pasture grasses

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica M. Reis ◽  
Fábio B. dos Reis Jr ◽  
Diego M. Quesada ◽  
Octávio C. A. de Oliveira ◽  
Bruno J. R. Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Pennisetum Purpureum ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
15N Enrichment ◽  
Pasture Grasses ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

This paper originates from an address at the 8th International Symposium on Nitrogen Fixation with Non-Legumes, Sydney, NSW, December 2000 The semi-humid or humid tropics are ideal for the production of large quantities of biomass from fast-growing C4 grasses, but high yields normally require large quantities of fertiliser, especially N, which has a very high input from fossil fuels (natural gas). A program has been started recently to use elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) to substitute firewood as a fuel and also to make charcoal for iron production. In this case, any large N fertiliser additions would mean that the yield of bio fuel per unit of fossil fuel invested would be detrimentally affected. In this study, we report on the potential for the selection of genotypes of fast-growing C4 tropical grasses of the genera Pennisetum and Brachiaria for their capacity to obtain N inputs from plant-associated biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Fourteen genotypes each of Brachiaria and Pennisetum were screened for BNF contributions by growing them in 15N-labelled soil. In the case of the Pennisetum, after a suitable cutting height for the crop had been selected, there were large differences in dry matter production, N accumulation and 15N enrichment. The differences in 15N enrichment between genotypes were statistically significant and BNF inputs were estimated as high as 41% of accumulated N. In the study on Brachiaria genotypes, potential inputs of BNF seemed lower. Only one or two genotypes of B. brizantha and B. ruziziensis obtained more then 20% of their N from BNF. The N2-fixing bacteria that were most commonly associated with shoots and roots the Pennisetum genotypes were of the genus Herbaspirillum, but predominantly of a recently described new species. The Brachiaria spp. from three different sites (Rio de Janeiro, Goânia, Bahia) were predominately colonised by Azospirillum spp., most of the isolates being of the species Azospirillum amazonense. Very few Herbaspirilla were isolated from these plants.

scholarly journals Velvet Bean and Cowpea Residual Effects on Maize Crop in Smallholder Farming Areas of Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Obert Jiri ◽  
Paramu L Mafongoya
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
On Farm

On-farm research was conducted in Dendenyore Communal Land and Zana Resettlement areas of Hwedza District, Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2001. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of velvet bean and cowpea on growth and yield of maize in legume-maize rotation system. A total of 14 treatments, which consisted of forage legume and maize crops were examined. The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design with 9 replicates. On-farm sites were the replicates. The results show a significant residual effect of velvet bean and cowpea, when grown with single super phosphate fertiliser, on the maize stover and grain yield. They indicate significant phosphorus residual effects on a subsequent maize crop on sandy soils. Forage legumes contribute to residual soil fertility in fallen leaves and roots that increases yield of subsequent crops. The results also reveal that biomass production in perennial leys, grazed during the dry season, would be greater in the second season than in the establishment year. The results also indicate that in the velvet bean systems, especially green manure, nitrogen is lost very early in the season. This may lead to lack of synchrony between nutrient availability and crop uptake. The maize after green manure system had a nitrogen use efficiency of about 11 kg/kg of nitrogen applied. These results show the residual potential of forage legumes in reducing nitrogen fertiliser need for subsequent maize crops in mixed livestock-cropping systems.

scholarly journals Tracking the Release of Soil Nitrate and Labile C in A Legume-Maize Rotation in Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Obert Jiri ◽  
Paramu L Mafongoya
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Concentration ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Soil Mineral N ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Maize Crop

This study compared the effect of a weedy fallow (5.2 t/ha biomass), a velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) cut for hay (7.2 t/ha biomass) and a green-manured M. pruriens (6.49 t/ha biomass) on the dynamics of soil N and C in a maize crop. An on-farm, farmer participatory experiment was established on a farmer’s field in Wedza District, Zimbabwe. Soil mineral N and labile carbon were determined at intervals upto 120 cm depth, at maize planting and at 1 and 2 weeks after planting. Before planting, the soil mineral N content ranged from 28 kg N/ha after weed fallow to 107 kgN/ha following M. pruriens. Total nitrate concentration was highest in the 0-15 cm depth of the M. pruriens treatments in the pre-planting sampling, but following rainfall and maize planting, nitrate concentration declined rapidly. By 2 weeks after planting, 7.5 and 13.5 kg N/ha remained in the 0-120 cm soil depth of the weedy fallow and green-manured M. pruriens, respectively. Improving synchrony of nutrient release and uptake is critical when applying high quality residues which breakdown relatively slowly. This could result in significant inputs of C, release nutrients more slowly and reduce soil nutrient losses.

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