Conservation agriculture (CA) is becoming popular in sub-Saharan Africa as potential solution to soil degradation. However, most findings are based on large scale, mechanized agricultural production systems which are not easy to apply within the smallholder farmer's context. This study assessed the implications of tillage practices, management of soil surface and fertilizer application on sustainable dryland agriculture of Eastern Rwanda. The experimental design was Split Plot with 4 replications. The main plots were conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) and sub-plots were: Control, sole residues application (RR); residues application with inorganic fertilizers (RR+IF) and inorganic fertilizers (IF) applied alone. Inorganic fertilizers application increased bean grain and biomass yield by 103%. In no tillage inorganic fertilizers had higher maize grain and biomass yields whereas residues application had 68% higher maize grain and biomass yield in conventional tillage. The significant increase in organic carbon was observed in residues applied with inorganic fertilizers. There was a significant N decrease in all treatments however control and residues had the highest N pool compared to other treatments. Sole residues application and residues applied with inorganic fertilizers treatment increased significantly Available P. The use of inorganic fertilizers in conservation agriculture systems should be promoted as the engine toward successful of CA practices for Bugesera district conditions. These results provide a basis for conducting trade-off analyses to support the development of CA crop management and international development strategies based on available scientific evidence.
Purpose
Benefits of silicon to plant growth and yield in higher plants has been explored recently. This study was conducted to assess the effects combined application of foliar application of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with basal NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of rice.
Methods
The study was conducted in Ntende site at Rwagitima marshland, Gatsibo district in the Eastern province of Rwanda. The field experiment was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications across in two cropping seasons in 2019/2020. Two recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF); 100% RDF (200 kgha− 1 NPK and 100 kgha− 1 Urea) and 75% RDF (150 kgha− 1 NPK and 75 kgha− 1 Urea) were used in combination with different doses of silixol orthosilicic acid (OSA). The Si fertilizers were applied in liquid form at panicle initiation and grain filling stages.
Results
Combined application of OSA with RDF produced better growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers, root length, flag leaf length and width) compared with using RDF only. Similarly, OSA application showed higher yield components, number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight. Highest yield of 5.81 t/ha which equates to 24% increase was obtained when 100% RDF + 4ml/l OSA was applied.
Conclusion
Rice fertilization with Si helps to stimulate plant growth, yield attributes and yield. Therefore, potential of Si could further be explored among rice farmers in Rwanda.
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