Influence of soil cover and N and K fertilization on the quality of biofortified QPM in the humid tropics. (21st January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Moura‐Silva, Aline Gomes; Aguiar, Alana das Chagas Ferreira; de Moura, Emanoel Gomes; Jorge, Neuza
• Is Part Of: Journal of the science of food and agriculture. Volume 96:Number 11(2016)
• Page Start: 3807
• Page End: 3812
• Publication Date: 2016-01-21
• Subjects: biofortification -- food security -- nutrients -- tree legumes; Food -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5142

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the humid tropics, unfavorable conditions present challenges to smallholder farmers attempting to meet food demands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of alley cropping and addition of potassium and nitrogen on the productivity and nutritional value of quality protein maize (QPM). The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replicates in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with five treatments, Gliricidia + Acacia (GA), Gliricidia + Clitoria (GC), Leucaena + Acacia (LA), Leucaena + Clitoria (LC) and bare soil (BS), in two cropping systems, one with addition of nitrogen and potassium (NK) and one without. RESULTS: The grain yield of LC + NK was significantly higher than that of all other treatments except GC + NK and LA + NK, and six times higher than that of BS + NK. The protein content of LC + NK was higher than that of the treatments without residue. CONCLUSION: Although the mulching of tree legumes increased the yield and quality of food for smallholder agriculture, achieving this outcome requires eliminating potentially negative interactions when combining trees and crops in addition to enhancing the availability and uptake of nutrients. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry