Annual soil improving legumes: agronomic effectiveness, nutrient uptake, nitrogen fixation and water use

Wortmann, Charles S.; McIntyre, Beverly; Kaizzi, Crammer

doi:10.1016/s0378-4290(00)00113-1

Cited by 31 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The N concentration of L. purpureus was similar to that observed by Wortmann et al (2000) but greater than that reported by Carsky, Oyewole, and Tian (2001). C. cajan also contained more N than observed by Mafongoya, Nair, and Dzowla (1998).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Characteristics, Residue Decomposition, and Carbon Mineralization of Leguminous and Spontaneous Plants in Coffee Systems

Matos

Cardoso

Souto

et al. 2011

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

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We investigated the chemical and biochemical composition, residue decomposition, and mineralization rate of leguminous (Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria spectabilis, and Lablab purpureus) and spontaneous vegetation in two experimental coffee systems in southeast Brazil. The nitrogen (N) content of the shoot biomass varied from 19.3 to 45.7 g kg −1 , and phosphorus (P) content ranged from 1.6 to 3.8 g kg −1 . C. cajan contained the greatest values of N and P, whereas spontaneous plants had the lowest values. In both areas, spontaneous vegetation had the greatest values of carbon (C) / P, C/N, polyphenol/N, and (lignin + polyphenol) / N ratios. Decomposition rate increased in the order C. cajan < C. spectabilis < L. purpureus < spontaneous vegetation. There was no correlation between the chemical and biochemical composition and the decomposition rate under field conditions. However, the cumulative carbon dioxide (C-CO 2 ) produced by the residues under laboratory conditions was correlated positively with initial contents of N and P and negatively with polyphenol/N and (lignin + polyphenol) / N ratio (P < 0.01) throughout the sampling period. The low nutrient content, especially for N, of spontaneous vegetation is compensated by the greater decomposition rate under natural conditions than that of introduced species. Management of the spontaneous plants is therefore an attractive alternative for sustainable agriculture.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Characteristics, Residue Decomposition, and Carbon Mineralization of Leguminous and Spontaneous Plants in Coffee Systems

Matos

Cardoso

Souto

et al. 2011

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

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“…Mucuna plots resulted in greater (P = 0.002) subsequent bean grain yield than lablab, and defoliation did not affect (P = 0.485) bean grain yield. The bean yields in this study were lower than those reported previously under maize intercrops (0.2 to 0.8 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) from the highlands of eastern Africa (Wortmann et al, 2000). This was likely due to the low nutrient contribution from lablab and the damage by aphids (Aphis craccivora) and leaf rust (anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp.)…”

Section: Bean Grain and Straw Yieldcontrasting

confidence: 83%

“…The N concentration in mucuna was greater than the critical level of 20 g kg Ϫ1 above which net mineralization of N would be expected (Palm et al, 1997), and the P concentration was within the critical range of between 2 and 3 g kg Ϫ1 for net P mineralization (Palm et al, 1997). The P concentrations of legume residues used in this study were similar to those reported from the sub-humid highlands of eastern Africa (1.2-1.8 g kg Ϫ1 for mucuna and 1.6-2.2 g kg Ϫ1 for lablab) (Wortmann et al, 2000). Defoliation resulted in a reduction of N, P, and Ca concentration of the above-ground residue.…”

Section: Legume Residue Nutrient Concentration and Contentsupporting

confidence: 82%

On-Farm Productivity of Relay-Cropped Mucuna and Lablab in Smallholder Crop-Livestock Systems in Northwestern Kenya

Nyambati

Sollenberger

Hiebsch

et al. 2006

Journal of Sustainable Agriculture

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Declining soil fertility and limited quantity and quality of livestock feeds are major constraints to agricultural production in northwestern Kenya. Legumes used as green manures may aid in overcoming soil nutrient depletion and lack of fodder. Relay-cropped mucuna (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. Utilis (Wright) Bruck) and lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet cv. Rongai) were evaluated as alternatives to E. M. Nyambati and S. C. Rono are affiliated with Kenya Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2006.28:97-116.dry season, natural fallow for sustaining soil productivity in a maize (Zea mays L.)-common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercrop on farmers' fields in northwestern Kenya. Four treatments were the factorial combinations of the two legumes and two levels of legume defoliation (none, or herbage above 10 cm removed prior to incorporation of remainder). Three controls were cattle manure (5 Mg ha Ϫ1 ), inorganic N (30 kg ha Ϫ1 ), and natural fallow. Undefoliated mucuna (UD-M) yielded more biomass (2.3 Mg ha Ϫ1 , mean of two seasons) than undefoliated lablab (UD-L; 0.8 Mg ha Ϫ1 ) under the relay intercrop, contributing more nutrients to succeeding maize than lablab. Defoliation of the legume green manures removed on average 0.9 Mg ha Ϫ1 yr Ϫ1 of high quality top-canopy herbage. Nitrogen contribution ranged from 6 kg ha Ϫ1 for defoliated lablab (D-L) to 65 kg ha Ϫ1 for UD-M. Maize grain yield was greater (P = 0.003) following incorporation of mucuna vs. lablab in both seasons. Defoliation of legume residues prior to incorporation decreased subsequent maize grain yield (3.19 vs. 2.49 Mg ha Ϫ1 following mucuna; 2.28 vs. 1.92 Mg ha Ϫ1 following lablab). Relative to the natural fallow control, UD-M, defoliated mucuna (D-M), and UD-L resulted in 52, 34, and 14% increases in subsequent maize grain yield. In conclusion, relay cropping green manure legumes, particularly mucuna, has potential to increase subsequent maize grain yield even when some of the fodder is used as livestock feed.

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“…Almost all of these African initiatives have included and continue to include one popular late-maturing forage cultivar, cv. Rongai (Makembe and Ndlovu 1996; Fischler and Wortmann 1999; Haque and Lupwayi 2000; Wortmann et al 2000; Shehu et al 2001; Mureithi et al 2003; Amodu et al 2004; Nworgu and Ajayi 2005; Nyambati et al 2006; Abeke et al 2007; Ojiem et al 2007; Abeke et al 2008; Mubiru and Coyne 2009) and, as a result, the potential role of the species as a pulse or vegetable in Africa is likely to be severely underestimated. Only recent work at ILRI in Ethiopia and CSIRO in Australia (Pengelly and Maass 2001) and, subsequently, in southern Africa (Whitbread and Pengelly 2004) explored a much larger range of accessions for feed and food and identified germplasm, which was well adapted to drier climates and crop use.…”

Section: Four Thesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lablab purpureus—A Crop Lost for Africa?

Maass

Knox

Venkatesha

et al. 2010

Tropical Plant Biol.

124

113

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In recent years, so-called ‘lost crops’ have been appraised in a number of reviews, among them Lablab purpureus in the context of African vegetable species. This crop cannot truly be considered ‘lost’ because worldwide more than 150 common names are applied to it. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper aims to put forward four theses, (i) Lablab is one of the most diverse domesticated legume species and has multiple uses. Although its largest agro-morphological diversity occurs in South Asia, its origin appears to be Africa. (ii) Crop improvement in South Asia is based on limited genetic diversity. (iii) The restricted research and development performed in Africa focuses either on improving forage or soil properties mostly through one popular cultivar, Rongai, while the available diversity of lablab in Africa might be under threat of genetic erosion. (iv) Lablab is better adapted to drought than common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), both of which have been preferred to lablab in African agricultural production systems. Lablab might offer comparable opportunities for African agriculture in the view of global change. Its wide potential for adaptation throughout eastern and southern Africa is shown with a GIS (geographic information systems) approach.

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Annual soil improving legumes: agronomic effectiveness, nutrient uptake, nitrogen fixation and water use

Cited by 31 publications

References 14 publications

Characteristics, Residue Decomposition, and Carbon Mineralization of Leguminous and Spontaneous Plants in Coffee Systems

Characteristics, Residue Decomposition, and Carbon Mineralization of Leguminous and Spontaneous Plants in Coffee Systems

On-Farm Productivity of Relay-Cropped Mucuna and Lablab in Smallholder Crop-Livestock Systems in Northwestern Kenya

Lablab purpureus—A Crop Lost for Africa?

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