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.

scholarly journals Screening Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in Conservation Agriculture

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Mutondwa M. Phophi ◽  
Paramu L. Mafongoya ◽  
Alfred O. Odindo ◽  
Lembe S. Magwaza
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Weed Biomass

The use of herbicides amongst smallholder farmers is minimal because herbicides are expensive and they require specialized application equipments. Weeds are problematic in conservation agriculture where herbicides are expensive for smallholder farmers. The use of cover crops can help to suppress weed growth and development by creating an environment which is not suitable for weeds survival. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) dolichos lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) were evaluated for biomass accumulation and weed suppression under conservation agriculture system in two contrasting experimental sites: Ukulinga and Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. Bare plot and herbicide treatments served as controls. Treatments were laid in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC had the highest biomass accumulation in both sites Bergville (0.72 t/ha) and Ukulinga (1.59 t/ha). Cowpea had the lowest biomass accumulation in Bergville (0.59 t/ha) and lablab was the lowest in Ukulinga (0.88 t/ha). Lablab was effective in suppressing weed biomass in Bergville (P < 0.05). Cowpea performed best in suppressing weed biomass in Ukulinga (P < 0.05). The results suggest that cowpea and lablab can be effective for weed suppression and therefore can be recommended for use in conservation agricultural systems.

scholarly journals The Effect of Leguminous Cover Crops on Growth and Yield of Garden Eggs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Boateng ◽  
R. Tetteh
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Phaseolus Lunatus ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Ground Control ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design

The use of cover crops is a way of sustainable agriculture in which nutrients are recycled and the use of inorganic fertilizer is reduced. Leguminous cover crops for instance are known to enrich the soil through the fixing of nitrogen in the form of nitrates in the soil for plant use. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of some leguminous cover crops on growth and yield of garden eggs. The study consisted of five treatments, namely Bare ground (control), fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15), Mucuna pruriens, Glycine max and Phaseolus lunatus laid in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Data collected were on vegetative growth and yield parameters. Results showed that plant height of garden eggs was highest in Phaseolus treated plots and this was followed by the Glycine max plots. Phaseolus treated plots had the highest yield in terms of the number of fruits harvested and weight of fruits harvested.

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 Effect of Maize –Legume Intercrop and Fertilizer on Weed Suppression and Maize Performance in South Eastern, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Akpa, Ogonnaya Esther ◽  
Udensi Ekea Udensi ◽  
Omovbude, Sunday ◽  
Orluchukwu, Joseph Amadi
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Early Integration ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Natural Fallow

Maize is one of the most commonly cultivated arable crops in the rain forest zone of South Eastern Nigeria. Globally soil fertility and weed pressure are the most important constraints limiting increase productivity of Maize especially in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Unavailability and cost of inorganic fertilizer as well as cost of labour for weeding have engendered low productivity of maize. Hence this trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of maize-legume systems on weed suppression and maize performance. The trial was carried out at the Teaching   and Research  Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria located within latitude 04°54’N and longitude 6°55’ E). The trial was conducted between April 4th and July 5th, 2017. The experiment was a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of 3 types of legume systems (Mucuna pruriens, Lablab purpurens and No legume) and three levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0, 15, and 30 kg NPK/ha). The 9 treatment combinations were replicated thrice to give 27 plots.  Data collected were on maize yield and yield components, weed and legume parameters at 4, 8 and 16 weeks after sowing (WAS). Result showed that legume significantly reduced weed biomass when compared to the natural fallow. The effect of weed biomass reduction was Mucuna 34.8% >Lablab 29.2%. The legume system significantly suppressed weed compared to natural fallow and the weed suppression ability average 56% and 30% respectively for Mucuna and Lablab whether or not they received NPK. Result of this trial also revealed that within 8 weeks after sowing legumes (8 WASL) 26% N and 22% N can be harvested by integrating this legume cover in cropping system and that NPK application has little or no effect in the performance of these legumes. Mucuna was not sensitive to fertilizer application while Lablab responded to fertilizer application. Maize was sensitive to Mucuna due to early integration; hence, it is recommended that these legumes be integrated at six weeks after sowing maize.

scholarly journals Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Karabenguk (Mucuna pruriens) sebagai Tanaman Penutup Tanah pada Dua Musim Berbeda

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Supriyono Supriyono ◽  
Tohari Tohari ◽  
Abdul Syukur ◽  
Didik Indradewa
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Two Factors

<p>This research does to known: 1) the effect of season, 2) the effect of cover crop kind and organic fertilizer, and 3) the interaction of two factors on growth and yield of velvet bean as cover crops. This research was conducted in Tancep, Ngawen, Gunungkidul at 170 m usl, litosol, 5-17 cm level of soil tillage, 9-10<sup>o</sup> elevation level, was started at December 2002 and finished at August 2003.</p><p>This research design was factorial-RCBD, 1<sup>st</sup> factor was planting season on 2 level, rainy and dry seasons, 2<sup>nd</sup> factor was cover crop kind on 6 levels, rase and putih gunungkidul velvet bean, Cm and Cp as conventional cover crops, rase and putih gunungkidul with organic fertilizer velvet bean. Per planting hole with 1 plant for velvet bean and 10 plant for coventional cover crop.</p><p>The result of this research were: 1<sup>st</sup>, velvet bean growth on rainy season very high than dry season, 2<sup>nd</sup> vegetative growth rate on velvet bean higher than conventional cover crop, 3<sup>rd</sup> without fertilizer, velvet bean have some growth and yield comparing by fertilizer velvet bean and 4<sup>th</sup> some yield variable, dry season was indicated better than rainy season.</p>

FERTILIZATION STRATEGIES IN CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS WITH MAIZE–LEGUME COVER CROP ROTATIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. MUPANGWA ◽  
C. THIERFELDER ◽  
A. NGWIRA
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Maize Production

SUMMARYMultilocation experiments were established to determine the best strategy for using inorganic fertilizer in conservation agriculture (CA) systems that use green manure cover crops, namely sunhemp, velvet bean and cowpea grown in rotation with maize. The objectives of the study were to determine (i) the effect of half and full rates of basal fertilizer on maize and legume biomass yields, (ii) the residual effects of unfertilized, half and fully fertilized green manure legumes on maize grown after the legumes, and (iii) the residual effect of unfertilized, half and fully fertilized green manure legumes combined with basal and topdressing fertilizer on maize yields. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with basal fertilizer as a treatment in the green manure legumes phase. Previously, in the maize phase, green manure legume species were the main treatment with basal fertilizer as a subtreatment (sunhemp, velvet bean and cowpea: 0, 75, 150 kg ha−1and 0, 50, 100 kg ha−1, respectively). Nitrogen was applied in the maize phase at 0, 23, 46, 69 kg N ha−1as a sub-subtreatment in Malawi. Results showed that inorganic fertilizer is the most effective when applied to the maize, not green manure legumes. Biomass of green manure legumes, sunnhemp 8084 kg ha−1, velvet bean 7678 kg ha−1and cowpea 4520 kg ha−1, was not significantly affected by application of basal fertilizer. Maize production increased after the application of green manure legumes with maize-after-maize, maize-after-velvet bean, maize-after-sunnhemp and maize-after-cowpea, yielding 3804, 5440, 5446 and 5339 kg ha−1, respectively. Nitrogen increased maize yield regardless of the previously used green manure legumes species. Our results suggest that farmers should apply fertilizer to maize and grow green manure legumes on residual soil in CA systems. Despite growing green manure legumes, smallholders should apply nitrogen topdressing to maize grown using the green manure legumes in some agro-ecologies.

Maize grain and straw yields over 14 consecutive years in burned and mulched Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and Pueraria phaseoloides relay cropping systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Stefan Hauser ◽  
Jacqueline Henrot ◽  
Samuel Korie
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Pueraria Phaseoloides ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Slash And Burn ◽  
Natural Fallow ◽  
Maize Grain

Abstract The cover crops Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and Pueraria phaseoloides were introduced to African farmers to improve crop production on degraded soils, yet they appear not to be adopted at scale. In the humid forest zone of West and Central Africa, the dominant Acrisols and Nitisols are inherently poor even when not degraded through agriculture. In this zone, sole maize cropping and vegetable production systems are gaining importance, yet both suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Cover crops were often introduced along with a system change, requiring biomass retention, mainly for nutrient retention reasons. Farmers in the zone commonly use slash and burn systems due to added weed control and ease of operations on clean fields. This study evaluated mucuna and pueraria with and without burning the fallow biomass in an annual sole maize crop relay system against the burned and retained natural fallow. Over 14 consecutive years, biomass burning did not cause lower maize grain yields in any of the fallow types, on the contrary, the economically important marketable cob yields were higher when biomass was burned (mulched 2.10 cobs m−2 vs. 2.26 cobs m−2 when burned, p < 0.07). After cover crop fallow, maize grain yields were significantly higher than after natural fallow (1.92 Mg ha−1) over the 14 years, with maize yields in the pueraria treatment (2.63 Mg ha−1) out yielding those in the mucuna treatment (2.28 Mg ha−1). Maize produced 1.92 cobs m−2 in natural fallow, significantly less than in the mucuna (2.23 m−2, p < 0.013) and the pueraria (2.39 m−2, p < 0.001) fallow. Introducing mucuna or pueraria cover crops into slash and burn systems appears as a suitable measure to increase yields without changing the land preparation approach.

scholarly journals Soil macrofauna in green manures preceding cotton growing

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elen Regina Caceres de Souza ◽  
Larissa Pereira Ribeiro Teodoro ◽  
Thiara de Azevedo Tezolin ◽  
Alfredo Raul Abot ◽  
Francisco Eduardo Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Density ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Green Manures ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Cotton Crop ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The objective of this work was to evaluate the abundance of the soil macrofauna in four green manure species, before the cotton crop. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four treatments: Mucuna pruriens (gray mucuna), Canavalia ensiformes (pork bean), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Crotalaria juncea (crotalaria). The macrofauna was captured by means of collections with collections using pitfall traps. The data were processed through the cluster analysis to verify the similarity among green manure species as to the occurrence of soil macrofauna. The orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera L (Larval), Hymenoptera and Coleoptera (adult), respectively, had the highest local relative abundance. There was a significant effect of the cover plants on the taxonomic groups and relative density of the soil macrofauna. Green manures were more determinant in the abundance and relative density of the soil macrofauna than the region climate. Up to 60 days after sowing the cotton crop, there was a beneficial influence of the green manures on the soil macrofauna.

Livestock integration in conservation agriculture.

2022 ◽  
pp. 215-229
Author(s):  
Saidi Mkomwa ◽  
Amir Kassam ◽  
Sjoerd W. Duiker ◽  
Nouhoun Zampaligre
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
African Context ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Crop Farmer ◽  
Grazing Livestock

Abstract Grazing livestock have been presented as an unsurmountable obstacle for Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Africa, because they consume organic cover. But grazing livestock can also make positive contributions to CA, while, if properly managed, sufficient organic cover can be left for soil erosion control and soil health improvement. Urine and manure improve soil fertility and soil health, and increase the agronomic efficiency of fertilizer nutrients. Grazing livestock increase options for crop diversity, such as crop rotations with perennial forages, increased use of cover crops and tree-crop associations. Further, as crop yields improve through application of sustainable intensification methods, greater amounts of above-ground residue become available for livestock nutrition, while greater quantities of below- and above-ground plant residues can be left to improve soil health than are currently returned to the soil. At the same time, in areas where extensive systems are still common, greater amounts of crop residue can be left for soil function because alternative feed sources are available. More research and education on proper integration of livestock in CA in the African context, and successful models of pastoralist-crop farmer collaboration are needed, so both livestock and soil needs can be met.

scholarly journals Efisiensi Pupuk dan Peningkatan Hasil Padi Gogo dengan Aplikasi Pupuk Hayati dan Arang Tempurung Kelapa

SoilREns ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Natalie Fitriatin ◽  
Tien Turmuktini ◽  
Muhamad Iqbal Kusma Sudana ◽  
Dzakaria Yogaswara ◽  
Randy Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Coconut Shell ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Npk Fertilizers ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers

The intensive application of inorganic fertilizers has a negative impact on soil health. Furthermore, the price of inorganic fertilizers has increased hence the production costs will also increase. Efforts to improve fertilizer efficiency and encourage environmentally friendly crops can be done by application of biofertilizers and organic ameliorants. The field experiment has been carried out to study the effect of biofertilizers application and coconut shell charcoal to increase inorganic fertilizers efficiency and yield of upland rice at Rancakalong, Sumedang, West Java. The experiment used factorial randomized block design consisted two factors. The first factor were biofertilizers and coconut shell charcoal and the second factors were inorganic fertilizers doses. Biofertilizers with consortia of Azotobacter chroococum, Azospirillum sp., Pseudomonas mallei, Burkolderia sp., Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium sp. and organic ameliorant was coconut shell charcoal. NPK fertilizers were applied in 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recommended doses. The results revealed that biofertilizers and coconut shell charcoal increased growth and yield of upland rice. This finding concludes that applica

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