Incorporation of Leguminous Cover Crops in Smallholder Cassava-Based Production System in Western Tanzania

Abstract

Small-scale crop production in many parts of Tanzania is constrained by many problems among which soil fertility degradation is a major problem.Over 80% of cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Tanzania is done by the small-scale farmers who continuously cultivate their fields, but use limited inputs to restore depleted plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to examine the best legume species that could be incorporated in cassava (Manihot esculenta) production systems under farmers' conditions and result in increase in soil fertility and crop yields. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were either incorporated with cassava (Manihot esculenta) or planted as sole crop in rotation with cassava. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were found to produce almost similar amount of biomass. The two legumes, however, produced higher biomass in rotation than intercropping system. The amount of biomass produced by Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis in rotation system was 6.28 t•ha ). Intercropping and rotation of cassava with legumes increase cassava yield and represent a sustainable alternative to reduce the farms' dependence on external inputs and to enhance inherent soil fertility.

Performance De Plantas Leguminosas Para Sistema Plantio Direto Na Região Amazônica

“…Teixeira et al (2010) constataram que o acúmulo de P na palhada do consórcio entre milheto e feijão-de-porco foi superior (7,47 kg ha -1 ) ao uso de milheto solteiro (3,81 kg ha -1 ), dando à palhada do consórcio maior capacidade de liberação de P ao longo do estudo. O feijão-de-porco apresenta vantagens por sua rusticidade, é uma cultura tolerante a altas temperaturas e à seca adaptando-se a diversos tipos de solo, inclusive em ambientes pobres em fósforo (MATATA et al, 2017).…”