Uptake and Use Efficiencies of Nutrients by Sesame and Bambara Nut Alley Crops as Influenced by Manuring in a Cashew-Based Intercropping System in the Guinea Savanna Agroecology of Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Sub-Station, Ochaja, in the Southern Guinea Savannaagro ecological zone of Nigeria to examine uptake and use efficiencies of nutrients by Sesame and Bambara nut alley crops as influenced by manuring in a Cashew-based intercropping system. Experimental treatments were based on responses of sole and intercrop mixtures of Sesame and Bambara nut alley crops to Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH), pelletized organic fertilizer and NPK fertilizer in a cashew-based intercropping system. Data were collected on the growth and yield variables of the alley crops. Highest nitrogen harvest index (NHI) for seed and leaf of alley crops were obtained from un-manure treated plants. Cocoa pod husk (CPH) significantly enhanced P uptake compared with other fertilizers applied. CPH improved Na, Ca, Mg Zn, Cu, P, K and carbohydrate in the leaves and Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents of seeds of sole crops while Sesame + Bambara had enhanced contents of N, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, P, N, K, moisture, protein, and crude fibre, crude protein, moisture content in leaves. The effects of NPK were significant for N, K Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, P, moisture and crude fibre, while in the un-manure (control) plots influenced N, fat and protein and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) of leaf and seeds. CPH and NPK fertilizers enhanced nutrient uptake and nitrogen harvest index of alley crops. Nutrient uptake was similar for the varieties of Sesame and Bambara nut as affected by the application of 4.84 and 9.68 Kg pelletized organic fertilizer.

Nutrient uptake and use efficiencies of strip intercropped cassava, maize and pepper as affected by fertilizer type and age of oil palm fields in an oil palm-based intercropping system

“…The un-manured (control) plants had higher N uptake and NHI compared to the fertilizer treated plants. Agele et al (2008) obtained improved NUE for crops under application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and Rather et al (1999) and Agele et al (2018b) had attributed crop yield increases under fertilizer treatments to improved efficiency of nutrient uptake and use.…”

“…The observed differences in crop responses to inorganic and organic fertilizers can be attributed to differences in nutrient contents, patterns of nutrient release and effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties (McCall and Willumsen, 1998;Nevens et al, 2004;Agele et al, 2011;Liang et al, 2019). It has been reported that crop species differ in biomass and nutrient uptake, accumulation and partitioning between vegetative and reproductive components (Nevens et al, 2004;Agele et al, 2018b). Differences in uptake, use, accumulation and partitioning of nutrients between vegetative and reproductive components in crop species and varieties are commonly used as criteria for yield selection in crops to develop cultivars adapted to low fertilizer input management systems (Yamoah et al, 1998;Nevens et al, 2004;Agele et al, 2008).…”

“…Differences in uptake, use, accumulation and partitioning of nutrients between vegetative and reproductive components in crop species and varieties are commonly used as criteria for yield selection in crops to develop cultivars adapted to low fertilizer input management systems (Yamoah et al, 1998;Nevens et al, 2004;Agele et al, 2008). Although, organic fertilizers contain other nutrients aside from N which is low, slow release and longer resident time in soil of these nutrients would have extended uptake time, accumulation and utilization for growth and yield of crops (Yamoah et al, 1998;Agele et al, 2011Agele et al, , 2018b. Other advantages of organic fertilizers include improvement in soil physical and biological properties with resultant improvement in growth and yield of crops (Cassman et al, 2002;Liang et al, 2019).…”

“…High N uptake and utilization efficiency by crops without deleterious effect on yield and ecosystem are required (Scholberg et al, 2000;Agele et al, 2008). Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for crop production is less than 40% worldwide (Stoorvogel et al 1993;Raun and Johnson, 1999;Agele et al, 2018b;Tsadik, 2019). Research is required to improve crop NUE and yield and develop sustainable fertilizer usage in response to increasing economic and environmental concerns.…”

Architectural Responses of Cashew to Intercropping and Nutritional Amendments in Nigerian Guinea Savanna Agro Ecology

“…Alley intercropping within rows of Cashew plants can recycle nutrients from the deeper layer of the soil and utilize other growth resources because the leaf canopy may not cover quickly [1,2]. However, a successful cultivation 'lag phase' and can also have direct advantages on the initial development of the tree crops [3].…”