Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel. (1st July 2013)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel. (1st July 2013)
- Main Title:
- Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel
- Authors:
- Dossa, Ekwe L.
Diedhiou, Ibrahima
Khouma, Mamadou
Sene, Modou
Badiane, Aminata N.
Ndiaye Samba, Samba A.
Assigbetse, Komi B.
Sall, Saidou
Lufafa, Abel
Kizito, Fred
Dick, Richard P.
Saxena, Jyotisna - Abstract:
- Abstract : Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst., an indigenous shrub, forms an important vegetative component of parkland cropping systems in the Sahel; however, its biophysical interactions with soil and crops are not well understood. Therefore, the objectives were to determine the impact of P. reticulatum, under varying fertilizer rates, on crop yield response and soil nutrient dynamics. The experiment had a split‐plot factorial design, where the main plot was shrub (presence or absence) and the subplot was fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 times the recommended N–P–K fertilizer rate) applied to a peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.)–pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] rotation. In 3 of the 4 yr, P. reticulatum improved or had no effect on crop yields when averaged across fertilizer rates. Overall, millet and peanut biomass and N and P uptake by millet increased in the presence of shrubs and with increasing fertilizer rate. Contrary to P, inorganic N in the soils changed very rapidly, reaching very low levels by the end of the growing season. The N content of soil leachates below the rooting zone was generally lower beneath than outside the shrub canopy, suggesting that the shrub conserves N that is otherwise lost through leaching. Piliostigma reticulatum increased particulate organic matter, indicating that this shrub improved soil quality. These results suggest that P. reticulatum, under nonthermal management and a higher density than typically found in farmers'Abstract : Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst., an indigenous shrub, forms an important vegetative component of parkland cropping systems in the Sahel; however, its biophysical interactions with soil and crops are not well understood. Therefore, the objectives were to determine the impact of P. reticulatum, under varying fertilizer rates, on crop yield response and soil nutrient dynamics. The experiment had a split‐plot factorial design, where the main plot was shrub (presence or absence) and the subplot was fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 times the recommended N–P–K fertilizer rate) applied to a peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.)–pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] rotation. In 3 of the 4 yr, P. reticulatum improved or had no effect on crop yields when averaged across fertilizer rates. Overall, millet and peanut biomass and N and P uptake by millet increased in the presence of shrubs and with increasing fertilizer rate. Contrary to P, inorganic N in the soils changed very rapidly, reaching very low levels by the end of the growing season. The N content of soil leachates below the rooting zone was generally lower beneath than outside the shrub canopy, suggesting that the shrub conserves N that is otherwise lost through leaching. Piliostigma reticulatum increased particulate organic matter, indicating that this shrub improved soil quality. These results suggest that P. reticulatum, under nonthermal management and a higher density than typically found in farmers' fields, has ecological benefits with improved soils and reduced loss of N, which has implications throughout the Sahel. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Agronomy Journal. Volume 105:Number 4(2013)
- Journal:
- Agronomy Journal
- Issue:
- Volume 105:Number 4(2013)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 105, Issue 4 (2013)
- Year:
- 2013
- Volume:
- 105
- Issue:
- 4
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2013-0105-0004-0000
- Page Start:
- 1237
- Page End:
- 1246
- Publication Date:
- 2013-07-01
- Subjects:
- Agronomy -- Periodicals
630 - Journal URLs:
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ ↗
- DOI:
- 10.2134/agronj2012.0432 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0002-1962
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 12765.xml