Effect of Mulch from Selected Multipurpose Trees (MPTs) on Growth, Nitrogen Nutrition and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Leaf extracts and mulch from 14 multipurpose trees were used to test their effects on maize germination, growth and yield. Maize germination was significantly reduced by leaf extracts of all species with increasing extract concentration. The most drastic reductions were caused by Gliricidia sepium, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Lonchocarpus sireceus, Senna siamea and Leucaena leucocephala. Terminalia superba, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Pithecelobium dulce, Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea significantly reduced maize root growth at the lowest extract concentration, while shoot length was most significantly reduced by Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Alchornea coordifolia, Pithecelobium dulce, Terminalia superba, and Tetrapleura tetraptera at all concentrations. Growth of maize in pots and yield in the field were controlled by nitrogen supply and uptake. Fast‐decomposing leaf material rich in nitrogen promoted growth and yield of maize. Thus Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium, both nitrogen‐fixing legumes with high nitrogen contents and fast‐decomposing leaf materials, significantly increased maize growth and yield. This suggests that the negative effects of leaf extracts observed in the laboratory are ecologically irrelevant in the field.

Mulch and Irrigation Effects on Tomato Performance and Weed Infestation

“…Although the lowest weed dry weight (58.69 g m -2 ) was found in Senna leaf treatment, it was statistically similar to rice straw mulch (76.98 gm -2 ) treatment. Significantly lower weed biomass was also reported by Kamara et al [16] using Senna leaf mulch and by Ramakrishna et al [12] using rice straw mulch compared to no mulch treatment. Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Desmodum trifolium, Alternanthera sessilis, Setaria viridis etc.…”

“…In this situation tree leaves could be used as potential mulch material. Senna siamea is a good agroforestry species, whose leaf is hard, decomposes slowly and persists in the soil for long time [16].…”

Phytotoxicity and fertilising potential of olive mill wastewaters for maize cultivation

“…Such results were observed for maize in response to other plant extracts. Indeed, the negative effects observed in laboratory assays were not detected under field conditions since pots and field growth were especially contributary to nitrogen availability (Kamara et al, 2000). It can also be suggested that some of the olive mill wastewaters' 318 S. Hanifi, I. El Hadrami toxic compounds were inactivated by soil biotic and abiotic components in a field situation.…”

YIELD AND NITROGEN RECOVERY OF RAPE (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) IN RESPONSE TO APPLICATION OF LEGUMINOUS LEAF LITTER AND SUPPLEMENTAL INORGANIC NITROGEN

“…The decline in the shoot N content of the non-fertilized plants was due to non-replenishment of nutrients. Our findings on different rates of decomposition and N release supporting different rates of biomass accumulation and plant N content are consistent with the results of Kamara et al ., (2000). They reported that the incorporation of L. leucocephala prunings contributed more nitrogen to the soil and increased dry matter yield and N concentration in maize relative to 13 other leguminous prunings used.…”