EFFECT OF SELECTED FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL QUALITY AND MAIZE YIELD IN THE SAVANNA

EFFECT OF SELECTED FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL QUALITY AND MAIZE YIELD IN THE SAVANNA

Abstract:

Study on the effect of selected forage legume on soil quality and maize yield in the Guinea Savanna was conducted in Ahmadu Bello University Farm, Samaru, Zaria (longitudes 7o 301 and 7o 501 E and latitudes 11o 001 and 11o 101) Nigeria in the year 2008 to 2009. The study involved planting two forage legumes; Centrosema Pascuorum (Cp) and Macrotyloma uniflorum (Mu) as the main plots. A natural vegetation regrowth was used as control. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of Nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) and Phosphorus rates (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg ha-1) imposed as sub-plots. Data obtained were evaluated on a split plot design for soil chemical [organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, soil carbon fraction, CEC, soil pH, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and micro nutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe) ] properties measured. Crop phrenology (plant height, leaf number, maize stover yield, maize cob weight and grain yield), soil physical (bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, particle size distribution, dry and wet aggregate stability and total porosity) properties were also measured and soil microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and particulate organic matter) were also measured. Results showed that, pre-maize planting soil condition, Centrosema pascuorum planted (CPF) fallow significantly improved soil chemical properties {Available phosphorus (10.50 mgkg-1), total nitrogen (0.88 g Kg-1), pH (6.0), CEC (6.8 c /mol Kg-1), manganese (9.3 mg Kg-1), Iron (42.2 mg Kg-1 ), exchangeable calcium (2.80 c /mol Kg-1), exchangeable sodium (0.68 c /mol Kg-1) and mean weight diameter (1.37 g) } compared to all other treatments. This indicates that Centrosema pascuorum planted fallow is a better soil amendment than natural vegetation regrowth which gave lower improvement in soil chemical properties {Available phosphorus (8.75 mgkg-1), total nitrogen (0.53 g Kg-1), pH (5.9), CEC (5.0 c mol Kg-1 ), manganese (6.4 mg Kg-1), Iron (31.1 mg Kg-1 ), exchangeable calcium (2.40 c mol Kg-1), and exchangeable sodium (0.58 c mol Kg-1) }. Macrotyloma uniflorum planted fallow (MPF) slightly improved soil chemical properties {Available phosphorus (5.25 mg kg-1), total nitrogen (0.35 g Kg-1), pH (6.0), CEC (6.6 c /mol Kg-1), manganese (7.9 mg Kg-1), Iron (31.1 mg Kg-1), exchangeable calcium (2.40 c /mol Kg- 1), and exchangeable sodium (0.48 c /mol Kg-1) }. However, natural vegetation regrowth contributed higher organic carbon (6.1 g Kg-1), exchangeable potassium (0.17 c /mol Kg-1) and soil zinc (10.7 mg Kg-1) to the soil than CPF and MPF under one year fallow management at pre-maize planting. Phosphorus application significantly influence soil properties with 26.4 kg P ha-1 producing higher values among other rates, suggesting that 26.4 kg P ha-1 was optimal for maize production under the legume short fallow production. This study therefore suggests the application of 80 Kg N ha-1 and 26.4 kg P ha-1 under the one year Centrosema pascuorum planted fallow and one year maize cultivation as being the most beneficial. The practice will ensure sustainable maize production, reduced (less than 120 Kg N ha-1) the use of inorganic fertilizer for maize production and improve soil quality

EFFECT OF SELECTED FORAGE LEGUMES ON SOIL QUALITY AND MAIZE YIELD IN THE SAVANNA

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