Integrated soil fertility management involving promiscuous dual-purpose soybean and upland NERICA enhanced rice productivity in the savannas

Abstract

Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) involving a nitrogen-fixing grain legume, limited chemical fertilizer, and a resilient rice variety may reduce the rate of soil fertility loss and enhance rice productivity in fragile upland rice ecosystems. A 2-year, on-farm study was carried out at Eglimé in the southern Guinea savanna (SGS) and Ouake in the northern Guinea savanna (NGS) of the Republic of Benin to evaluate the contribution of dual-purpose soybean cultivars (Glycine max) to grain yield of upland NERICA Ò rice receiving low fertilizer N. In 2005, four dual-purpose, promiscuous soybean varieties (cv. TGX 1440-IE, TGX 1448-2E, TGX 1019-2EB, and TGX 1844-18E), a popular soybean variety (cv. Jupiter), and a popular rice (control) were sown in ten farmers' fields. In 2006, resilient upland interspecific rice (NERICA1) and popular rice (IRAT-136) were sown in all plots with only 15 kg N ha -1 . Soybean cv. TGX 1440-1E (late-maturing) ranked highest in nodulation, dry matter, shoot-and grain-N accumulation, and N-balance (21 kg ha -1 ) in NGS, while TGX 1448-2E (medium-maturing) surpassed other varieties in the SGS. Nitrogen fertilizer replacement value for growing cv. TGX 1440-1E in NGS prior to rice ranged from 17 to 45 kg N ha -1 depending on the reference rice. Grain yield of NERICA1 following 1-year rotation with soybean cv. TGX 1440-1E or TGX 1019-2EB was 1.5 Mg ha -1 greater than the yield obtained from farmers' control of 2-year continuous IRAT 136 rice cropping. Results indicate that integrating appropriate dual-purpose soybean in an ISFM package can enhance rice productivity in resource-limited smallholder production systems.

Sustainable intensification through rotations with grain legumes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review

“… b Dakora et al (1987) ; Ojiem et al (2007) ; Pule-Meulenberg and Dakora (2009) ; Nyemba and Dakora (2010) ; Mokgehle et al (2014) ; Bado et al (2006a) ; Jones (1974) ; MacColl (1989) ; Kaleem (1989) ; Ncube et al (2007) ; Kaleem (1989) . c Oikeh et al (2010) ; Osunde et al (2003) ; Singh et al (2003) ; Okogun et al (2005) ; Ojiem et al (2007) ; Laberge et al (2009) ; Mapope and Dakora (2016) ; Sanginga (2003) ; MacColl (1989) ; Okereke and Eaglesham (1993) ; Kasasa et al (1999) ; Sanginga et al (2002) ; Zingore et al (2008) ; Yusuf et al (2009b) ; Thuita et al (2012) ; Adeboye et al (2006) ; Carsky et al (1997) ; Carsky et al (1999) ; Kaleem (1989) ; Mapope and Dakora (2016) . d Ncube et al (2007) ; Chikowo et al (2004) ; MacColl (1989) ; Cobbina (1995) ; Mapfumo et al (1999) ; Marandu et al (2013) .…”

“… c Oikeh et al (2010) ; Osunde et al (2003) ; Singh et al (2003) ; Okogun et al (2005) ; Ojiem et al (2007) ; Laberge et al (2009) ; Mapope and Dakora (2016) ; Sanginga (2003) ; MacColl (1989) ; Okereke and Eaglesham (1993) ; Kasasa et al (1999) ; Sanginga et al (2002) ; Zingore et al (2008) ; Yusuf et al (2009b) ; Thuita et al (2012) ; Adeboye et al (2006) ; Carsky et al (1997) ; Carsky et al (1999) ; Kaleem (1989) ; Mapope and Dakora (2016) . …”

Developing fertilizer recommendations for rice in Sub-Saharan Africa, achievements and opportunities

“…The low productivity of the upland rice-based system is partly due to the limited use of nutrient inputs by resource poor smallholder farmers and limited investment in fertilizers (Buresh et al 1997;Becker and Johnson 1999;Oikeh et al 2010). Even though these production systems have the potential for 2-4 tons ha −1 , rice yields are seldom above 1-ton ha −1 in most smallholder farmers' fields due to constraints such as soil acidification, inherently low soil fertility, and limited use of fertilizers (Oikeh et al 2010). Most upland rice-based systems under shortened fallow management are characterized by inherently acidic, P-deficient and low organic matter contents.…”

From WARDA to AfricaRice: an overview of rice research for development activities conducted in partnership in Africa.

“…A number of fertilizer management and IPM options were developed for upland NERICA varieties (e.g. Nwilene et al, 2008a;Oikeh et al, 2008Oikeh et al, , 2009Sokei et al, 2010;Ogha et al, 2011;Touré et al, 2011). However, these options have not yet been tested sufficiently in farmers' fields to enable out-scaling.…”