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Kwesiga, F.; Franzel, Steven; Place, Frank; Phiri, D.; Simwanza, C. P.

doi:10.1023/a:1006256323647

Cited by 141 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Using sesbania brown manuring in DSAR reduced the soil bulk density and improved the total soil porosity, total N, soil organic matter, SOC, SMBC, and SMBN in the soil. Indeed, sesbania is a fast-growing and high biomassproducing legume crop, which can fix a large amount of atmospheric nitrogen into plant usable form (Kwesiga et al, 1999;Orwa et al, 2009). Sesbania forms a symbiotic relationship with Gram-negative rhizobia, which leads towards the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on both roots and stems (Capoen et al, 2010), thus enhancing the soil N pool, as was observed in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Sesbania Brown Manuring and Rice Residue Mulch on Soil Health, Weeds and System Productivity of Conservation Rice–Wheat Systems

et al. 2016

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The sustainability of rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is threatened by increasing labor, water, and energy crises in the region. Conservation RWCSs offers an ecofriendly alternate option. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of sesbania brown manuring in direct‐seeded aerobic rice (DSAR) and of rice residue mulch in no‐tilled wheat (NTW) on soil health, weed dynamics and system productivity. The experiment was composed of five RWCS systems: (i) DSAR‐NTW; (ii) DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW; (iii) DSAR‐NTW + rice residue mulch; (iv) puddled transplanted flooded rice (PudTR)‐NTW; and (v) PudTR‐plow‐tilled wheat. Sesbania brown manuring in direct‐seeded rice decreased the weed density and dry biomass 41–56% and 62–75%, respectively, than the sole direct‐seeded rice crop. At rice harvest, better soil health, in terms of total nitrogen (N), soil organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon, and soil microbial biomass nitrogen, was noted with DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW. Rice residue mulch retention in NTW decreased weed density and dry weight by 60 and 69%, respectively, than those under NTW with no mulch. At wheat harvest, highest total N, soil organic carbon, and soil microbial biomass carbon were recorded with DSAR‐NTW + rice residue mulch, followed by DSAR + sesbania brown manuring‐NTW. Overall, NTW grown after DSAR + sesbania brown manuring produced more grain yield than PudTR‐NTW and PudTR‐plow‐tilled wheat systems. In conclusion, sesbania brown manuring in DSAR and residue mulch retention in NTW may be opted to improve soil properties, suppress weeds, and to harvest better grain yield and achieve higher system productivity in conservation RWCSs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Sesbania Brown Manuring and Rice Residue Mulch on Soil Health, Weeds and System Productivity of Conservation Rice–Wheat Systems

et al. 2016

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“…Larger stocks in M ? F than other treatments could be attributed to high yields of maize stover (4.1-7.1 t DM ha -1 , Kwesiga et al 1994) and root biomass (1-2.0 t C ha -1 , Tiessen et al 2001) because of application of inorganic fertilizers. Regardless of the type and amount of organic residues added to the soil, addition of N from fertilizer increased accumulation of SOM through increased biomass production (Brady and Weil 1996).…”

Section: Speciesmentioning

confidence: 93%

Carbon pools in tree biomass and the soil in improved fallows in eastern Zambia

Kaonga¹,

Bayliss‐Smith

2008

Agroforest Syst

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This study quantified tree and soil C stocks and their response to different tree species and clay contents in improved fallows in eastern Zambia. From 2002 to 2003, soil, and destructively harvested twoyear old tree, samples were analysed for C. There were significant differences (P \ 0.05) in aboveground tree C stocks, and in net organic C (NOC) intake rates across coppicing tree species at Msekera and Kalunga. Aboveground C stocks ranged from 2.9 to 9.8 t ha -1 , equivalent to NOC intakes of 0.8-4.9 t ha -1 year -1 .

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“…Improved fallows, which incorporated leguminous trees and herbs into smallholder farming systems, were tested in Eastern Zambia. Short duration tree fallows were promoted in response to declined soil fertility characterized by severe nitrogen deficiency resulting from nearly continuous maize cultivation with little or no nutrient inputs (Kwesiga, Franzel, Place, Phiri, & Simwanza, 1999;Kabwe, 2010). The plant species commonly used were Tephrosia vogelli, Sesbania sesban, Tephrosia candida and Cajanus cajan.…”

Section: Reducing Land Degradation: Role Of Faidherbia Albida and Impmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversing Agro-Based Land Degradation through Conservation Agriculture: Emerging Experiences from Zambia’s Smallholder Farming Sector

Umar¹

2012

SAR

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This study reports on the land degradation minimizing effects of Conservation Agriculture (CA) as promoted among smallholder Zambian farmers. It found no evidence of CA associated improvements in soil fertility after five years of CA practice, most probably because crop residues were removed from the fields. The study reports high phosphorus (15.53 mg kg -1 ) and potassium (0.75 cmol kg -1 ) levels, low nitrogen (0.12 %) and organic carbon (1.19 %) levels, and no plough/hoe pans in soils from both CA and conventionally (CV) managed fields. This is in part contrary to the dominant land degradation narratives which have been the basis for promoting CA in the study areas. Faidherbia albida, a leguminous tree promoted as part of the CA package in Zambia, is associated with significantly higher levels of nitrogen, organic carbon and potassium under its canopy. Its planting by CA farmers is linked to the incentives provided by CA promoters. Average maize yields of 3.8 t ha -1 and 2.8 t ha -1 were reported under CA and CV systems respectively. Government subsidies for mineral fertilizer and hybrid seed promote maize mono-cropping and remain unsupportive of CA. It is concluded that the dominant land degradation narrative, which posits population induced land degradation, may not hold in this case. Instead, the removal of crop residues and low levels of mineral fertilizer and manure amendments may better explain the soil fertility status of the study areas. More nutrient replacement strategies are required if the benefits of CA on soil fertility are to be actualized in the immediate future.

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Cited by 141 publications

References 7 publications

Influence of Sesbania Brown Manuring and Rice Residue Mulch on Soil Health, Weeds and System Productivity of Conservation Rice–Wheat Systems

Influence of Sesbania Brown Manuring and Rice Residue Mulch on Soil Health, Weeds and System Productivity of Conservation Rice–Wheat Systems

Carbon pools in tree biomass and the soil in improved fallows in eastern Zambia

Reversing Agro-Based Land Degradation through Conservation Agriculture: Emerging Experiences from Zambia’s Smallholder Farming Sector

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