Impact of dolichos lablab and mucuna pruriens cover crops on soil fertility characteristics and maize yield in Karatu, Arusha region, Tanzania
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Date
2014
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The present study was carried out in Karatu District, Arusha Region during 2006 - 2010
periods to investigate the effect of Mucuna and Lablab cover crops on soil fertility
characteristics and
maize crop yields. Three Divisions
namely
Mbulumbulu,
Karatu,Rhotia and Endabash were selected for the study, each forming a replication. The
experimental design consisted of five treatment combinations: Lablab cover crop alone,
Mucuna cover crop alone, Maize alone, maize with Lablab and maize with Mucuna
replicated three times in a RCBD. Treatments were randomly assigned to 5 treatment plots
of each block and replicated in 3 blocks making a total of 15 treatment plots per study site
and 45 in total. Soil samples for nutrient analysis for each plot were collected and analysed
for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic carbon (OC), pH and moisture
content at the initial stage and at the different stages of maize crop development. The
findings indicated that the soils of agriculture land in Karatu District were generally sandy
to sandy loam with low fertility status. Also it was found out that, the physical and
chemical soil characteristics of the farm land remained stable with little change during the
experimental period. Maize yield data was recorded in all treatments immediately after
harvesting. Cover crops significantly increased maize yields at all times of the 5 years
period probably because of their leguminous nature which add N by the N-fixing
characteristics. All the cover crops significantly increased soil nitrogen and other plant
nutrients having Mucuna pruriens producing the highest results. The study, therefore,
recommends the promotion and judicious use of cover crops, especially, Mucuna in the
farming systems of Karatu District.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in management of natural resources for sustainable agriculture
Keywords
Soil fertility characteristics, Mucuna pruriens cover crops, Maize yield, Karatu, Arusha region, Tanzania