Indigenous legume fallows (indifallows) as an alternative soil fertility resource in smallholder maize cropping systems

Field Crops Research

Volumn 115, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 149-157

  Nezomba, H ^a   Tauro, T P ^a,b   Mtambanengwe, F ^a   Mapfumo, P ^a,c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE   (Zimbabwe)

^b Specialist Services ^*  (Zimbabwe)

^c Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa SOFECSA   (Zimbabwe)

Author keywords

Indigenous legumes; Maize productivity; N2 fixation; Nutrient depleted fields; Smallholder farms

Indexed keywords

BIOMASS; CROP PRODUCTION; CROP YIELD; FALLOW; GRASS; GROWING SEASON; LEGUME; MAIZE; MANURE; NITROGEN FIXATION; RAINFALL; SANDY SOIL; SMALLHOLDER; SOIL FERTILITY; SOIL NUTRIENT;

AFRICA; SOUTHERN AFRICA; SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA;

CROTALARIA; CROTALARIA JUNCEA; INDIGOFERA; TEPHROSIA; ZEA MAYS;

EID: 72149110329     PISSN: 03784290     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2009.10.015     Document Type: Article

References (45)

1. Anderson J.M., and Ingram J.S.I. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility: A Handbook of Methods. second ed. (1993), CAB International, Wallingford, UK
2. Buresh R.J., Smithson P.C., and Hellums D.T. Building soil phosphorus in Africa. In: Buresh R.J., Sanchez P.A., and Calhoun F. (Eds). Replenishing Soil Fertility in Africa (1997), SSSA Special Publication 51, SSSA, Madison, WI, USA 111-141
3. Chikowo R., Mapfumo P., Nyamugafata P., and Giller K.E. Maize productivity and mineral N dynamics following different soil fertility management practices on a depleted sandy soil in Zimbabwe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 102 (2004) 119-131
4. Chuma E., Mombeshora B.G., Murwira H.K., and Chikuvire J. The dynamics of soil fertility management in communal areas of Zimbabwe. In: Hilhorst T., and Muchena F.M. (Eds). Nutrients on the Move-Soil fertility Dynamics in African Farming Systems (2000), International Institute for Environment and Development, London 45-64
5. Dubach M., and Russelle M. Forage legume roots and nodules and their role in nitrogen transfer. Agron. J. 86 (1994) 259-266
6. GENSTAT, 2005. GENSTAT Edition 2 Reference Manual. Laws Agricultural Trust (Rothamsted Experimental Station). Clarendon Press, Oxford Science Publications, UK.
7. Giller K.E. Nitrogen Fixation in Tropical Cropping Systems (2001), CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK p. 423
8. Giller K.E., Cadisch G., Ehaliotis C., Adams E., Sakala W.D., and Mafongoya P.L. Building soil nitrogen capital in Africa. In: Buresh R.J., Sanchez P.A., and Calhoun F. (Eds). Replenishing Soil Fertility in Africa (1997), SSSA Special Publication 51, SSSA, Madison, WI, USA 151-192
9. Grant P.M. The fertility of sandy soil in peasant agriculture. Zim. Agric. J. 78 (1981) 169-175
10. Hikwa D., Murata M., Tagwira F., Chiduza C., Murwira H., Muza L., and Waddington S.R. Performance of green manure legumes on exhausted soils in Northern Zimbabwe: a soil fertility network trial. In: Waddington S.R., Murwira H.K., Kumwenda J.D.T., Hikwa D., and Tagwira F. (Eds). Soil Fertility Research for Maize-Based Farming Systems in Malawi and Zimbabwe (1998), SoilFertNet/CIMMYT, Harare, Zimbabwe 81-84
11. 15N dilution method and the total-N difference method. Biol. Agric. Hortic. 11 (1995) 203-219
12. Jama B., Buresh R.J., and Place F.M. Sesbania trees on phosphorus-deficient sites: maize yield and financial benefits. Agron. J. 90 (1998) 717-726
13. Jeranyama P., Hesterman O.B., and Waddington S.R. Relay intercropping of sunnhemp and cowpea into a smallholder maize system in Zimbabwe. Agron. J. 92 (2000) 239-244
14. Kasasa P., Mpepereki S., Musiyiwa K., Makonese F., and Giller K.E. Residual nitrogen benefits of promiscuous soybeans to maize under field conditions. Afric. Crop Sci. J. 9 (1999) 375-382
15. Kiptot E., Hebinck P., Franzel S., and Richards P. Adopters, testers or pseudo-adopters? Dynamics of the use of improved tree fallows by farmers in Western Kenya. Agric. Syst. 94 (2007) 509-519
16. Kwesiga F., and Coe R. The effect of short rotation Sesbania sesban planted fallows on maize yields. For. Ecol. Manage. 64 (1994) 199-208
17. Mafongoya P.L., Bationo A., Kihara J., and Waswa B.S. Appropriate technologies to replenish soil fertility in southern Africa. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 76 (2006) 137-151
18. Makumba W., Janssen B., Oenema O., and Festus K.A. Influence of time of application on the performance of Griliricidia prunings as a source of N for maize. Exp. Agric. 42 (2005) 51-63
19. Mapfumo P., and Giller K.E. Soil Fertility Management Strategies and Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Areas of Zimbabwe (2001), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe p. 60
20. Mapfumo, P., 2000. Potential contribution of legumes to soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe: the case of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L] Millsp.). D. Phil. thesis. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, 198 pp.
21. Mapfumo P., Giller K.E., Mpepereki S., and Mafongoya P.L. Dinitrogen fixation by pigeonpea of different maturity types on granitic sandy soils in Zimbabwe. Symbiosis 27 (1999) 305-318
22. Mapfumo P., Mtambanengwe F., Giller K.E., and Mpepereki S. Tapping indigenous herbaceous legumes for soil fertility management by resource poor farmers in Zimbabwe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 109 (2005) 221-233
23. McDonagh J.F., Toomsan B., Limpinuntana V., and Giller K.E. Estimates of the residual nitrogen benefit of groundnut to maize in Northeast Thailand. Plant Soil 154 (1993) 267-277
24. Mtambanengwe F., and Mapfumo P. Organic matter management as an underlying cause for soil fertility gradients on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 73 (2005) 227-243
25. Mtambanengwe F., Mapfumo P., and Vanlauwe B. Comparative short-term effects of different quality organic resources on maize productivity under two different environments in Zimbabwe. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 76 (2006) 271-284
26. Mtambanengwe, F., Nezomba, H., Nyamangara, J., Tauro, T.P., Nyagumbo, I., Mukungurutse, C., Murwira, M., Dhliwayo, D.K.C., Chikowo, R., Mapfumo, P., 2008. Promoting efficient mineral and organic fertilizer resource use through integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in Zimbabwe. A SOFECSA-Zimbabwe Final Report submitted to the Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA). CIMMYT-Southern Harare, Zimbabwe, 31 pp.
27. Mugwira, L.M., Murwira, H.K., 1997. Use of cattle manure to improve soil fertility in Zimbabwe: past and current research and future research needs. Network Working Paper No. 2. Soil Fertility Network for Maize-Based Cropping Systems in Zimbabwe and Malawi. CIMMYT, Harare, Zimbabwe, 33 pp.
28. Ndufa J.K., Shepherd K.D., Buresh R.J., and Jama B. Nutrient uptake and growth of young trees in P-deficient soil: tree species and phosphorus effects. For. Ecol. Manage. 122 (1999) 231-241
29. Nezomba H., Tauro T.P., Mtambanengwe F., and Mapfumo P. Nitrogen fixation and biomass productivity of indigenous legumes for fertility restoration of abandoned soils in smallholder farming systems. S. Afr. J. Plant Soil 25 (2008) 161-171
30. Nye P.H., and Greenland D.J. The soils under shifting cultivation. Technical Communication No. 51 (1960), Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau, Harpenden, UK
31. Nzuma, J.K., 2004. Manure management options for increasing crop production in the smallholder sectors of Zimbabwe. D. Phil thesis. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe, 173 pp.
32. 2-fixing mungbean and groundnut cultivars. Biol. Fertil. Soils 39 (2003) 16-24
33. Piha M.I. Optimizing fertilizer use and practical rainfall capture in a semi-arid environment with variable rainfall. Exp. Agric. 29 (1993) 405-415
34. Probert M.E., Okalebo J.R., and Jones R.K. The use of manure on smallholders' farm in semi-arid eastern Kenya. Exp. Agric. 31 (1995) 371-381
35. Promsakha na Sakonnakhon S., Cadisch G., Toomsan B., Vityakon P., Limpinintana V., Jogloy S., and Patanothai A. Weeds-friend or foe? The role of weed composition on stover nutrient recycling efficiency. Field Crops Res. 97 (2006) 238-247
36. Promsakha na Sakonnakhon S., Toomsan B., Cadisch G., Baggs E.M., Vityakon P., Limpinintana V., Jogloy S., and Patanothai A. Dry season groundnut stover management practices determine nitrogen cycling efficiency and subsequent maize yields. Plant Soil 272 (2005) 183-199
37. Rao M.R., Mathuva M.N., Gacheru E., Radersma S., Smithson P., and Jama B. Duration of Sesbania fallow effect for nitrogen requirement of maize in planted fallow-maize rotation in Western Kenya. Exp. Agric. 38 (2002) 223-235
38. Stoskopf N.C. Understanding Crop Production (1981), Reston, VA, USA p. 433
39. Tauro T.P., Nezomba H., Mtambanengwe F., and Mapfumo P. Germination, field establishment patterns and nitrogen fixation of indigenous legumes on nutrient-depleted soils. Symbiosis 48 (2009) 92-101
40. Vanlauwe B., and Giller K.E. Popular myths around soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 116 (2006) 34-46
41. Vanlauwe B., Aihou K., Hounguandan P., Diels J., Sanginga N., and Merckx R. Nitrogen management in "adequate" input maize-based agriculture in the derived savanna benchmark zone of Benin Republic. Plant Soil 228 (2001) 61-71
42. Venge, R., 2003. Population dynamics of selected non-cultivated indigenous legume species in Zimbabwe. BSc dissertation. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, 30 pp.
43. 15N fertilizer. Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies (1991), FAO/IAEA, Vienna, Austria pp. 59-72
44. World Reference Base for Soils, FAO/ISRIC/ISSS, 1998. World Soil Resources Report No. 84. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
45. Zingore S., Manyame C., Nyamugafata P., and Giller K.E. Long-term changes in organic matter of woodland soils cleared for arable cropping in Zimbabwe. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 57 (2005) 727-736