Influence of Legume Biomass on Soil Fertility Status and Maize Performance in Striga Infested Soils of Iringa, Tanzania
Abstract
136 words
Striga asiatica is one of the most severe biological constraints
to cereal production in low soil fertility areas, reducing maize
and sorghum yield by 10-100%. The use of inorganic nitrogen
fertilisers counteracts the effect of this parasite. These fertilisers
are not easily access majority of the farmers in Tanzania. The
use of legumes biomass residues has shown potential for
improving soil fertility status and thus mitigate the effects of
Striga. In this study, the effects of the legumes cowpea, green
gram, mucuna, canavalia, sun hemp and chick pea on maize
yield in Striga infested, low fertility fields on maize yields in
rural Iringa district, Tanzania was studied. Sun hemp, canavalia
and mucuna released significantly more N compared with other
legumes. These three should be incorporated in a package for
mitigating the effect of Striga in Tanzania.
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