The Influence of Lablab Purpureus Growth on Nitrogen Availability and Mineral Composition Concentration in Nutrient Poor Savanna Soils

Abstract

Low soil fertility in savanna soils has been linked to low crop yields, with nitrogen being the most limiting factor in crop yield. Soil used in this pot experiment was obtained from Motshephiri village with low total N, low NO3− and high NH4+. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments (1) control, (2) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant, (3) superphosphate and (4) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant + superphosphate). The superphosphate was applied at three different levels (45, 60 and 75 kg/ha). Lablab was cultivated in each treatment and the results of the study indicated that lablab growth significantly increased total N and NO3−, and reduced concentration NH4+ relative to the original soil herein referred to as pre-lablab growth. However, the N forms (total N, NO3− and NH4+) did not differ significantly amongst different levels of superphosphate with or without Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant. Lablab growth, proved to have a significant impact on both the soil macro (P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) and micronutrient level (Fe, Mn, Cu, B and Cl) with the exception of Zn. This study suggests that lablab’s ability to rapidly boost soil N content, overall soil fertility in a short period of time without the use of superphosphate fertilizers or Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculants makes it ideal for intercropping or rotating with non-leguminous crops that have a short growing season.

A Green Solution for the Rehabilitation of Marginal Lands: The Case of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet Grown in Technosols

“…However, most macro- and micronutrient concentrations in gossan waste suffered, overall, an increase from GW i to GW f ( Table 2 ). Although without statistically significant differences, except for Mn, there was an increase of 35% in Fe and 39% in Ca, an effect observed with other legume crops [ 77 , 78 ].…”

1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Profile of Green and Red Amaranthus Grown in Open Field versus Greenhouse Cultivation System

“…Greenhouse cropping system: the pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse with minimum and maximum air temperature ranges of 7.4 and 44.9 • C, situated at the University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, Rooderpoot (Latitude: −26 • 9 ′ 29.274 ′′ ; Longitude: 27 • 55 ′ 17.663 ′′ ). The average relative humidity inside the greenhouse was recorded at 68% [24] during the planting period (October 2021 to February 2022). Plastic pots (18 cm diameter, 14.5 cm height, and 18 cm width) were used in growing seeds.…”

Response of Black Nightshade to Different Cropping Systems and the Effect on Physiological Parameters and Mineral Composition

“…The experiment lasted for 4 months (October-December 2021) for both cropping systems. As described by Mthimunye et al [44], the greenhouse pot experiment was conducted at the Science Campus, Horticultural centre, at the University of South Africa, Florida (GPS coordinates −26°9ʹ29.274ʺ; 27°55ʹ17.663ʺ). The minimum and maximum air temperature inside the greenhouse ranged from 7.4 to 44.9°C.…”