EFFECT OF FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

EFFECT OF FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

Abstract:

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted over a twoyear period (1995 – 1996) at Samaru (11°11″N, 7°38″E) in the Northern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria to evaluate the effect of legume incorporation on some soil properties and the performance of maize (Zea mays L.). In the greenhouse the treatments consisted of six forage legume species and maize stover applied at two rates (2.5 and 5.0t ha-1) and a control of no amendment. The design was randomised complete block (RCBD) replicated three times. In the field, two experiments were conducted. In the first one, five legume species and a fallow control as treatments were incorporated after two years of growth, while in the second experiment, six legume species and control were incorporated only after one year of growth. The Design in the two experiments were split plot with legume species and fallow plots as main treatments and fertilizer rates (0, 40, 80 and 120kg N ha”1) as sub-treatments. The incorporation of legumes in the greenhouse generally increased shoot dry matter yield (DMY), plant height, maize shoot nutrient concentration, soil organic carbon and pH. At 2 . 5t ha-1 Centrosema. pascuorum (CP) and at 5 . Ot ha-1 Chaemacrista rotundifolia (CR) generally gave better results than the other treatments. Where legume was incorporated after one year of growth, CR gave maize grain yield, 1000-grain weight, plant and ear heights that were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other treatments. Increase in grain yield as a result of legume incorporation after one year of growth ranged from 0.18 to 0.61t ha-1 (38.3 to 129.8%) more than the control. Where incorporation was done after two years of growth, legume incorporation gave yield increases over the control which ranged from 0.13 to 1.03t ha’1 (15.5 to 122.6%) and 0.16 to 1.30t ha-1 (11.7 to 51.1%) for the first and second seasons respectively. The pooled data for the two seasons was compared with the control, legumes gave 0.14 to 0.83t ha-1 (12.6 to 74.8%) increased in grain yield than the control. Interaction between legume and N fertilizer showed that at 40kg N ha”1, incorporating CP in the first experiment and CR in the second experiment gave maize grain yield that were comparable to the recommended dose of 120kg N ha-1. This implies that with legume incorporation N requirement could be reduce by at least 80kg N ha”1. Grain yield and yield related parameters significantly responded to N fertilizer in the two experiments. In the first experiment, strong residual effect was observed. Yield increases in the second year of cropping ranged from 0.14 to 0.65t ha”1 higher than in the first year. Legume incorporation generally improves soil pH, SOM, exchangeable cations and CEC.

EFFECT OF FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND THE PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

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