White lupin leads to increased maize yield through a soil fertility-independent mechanism: a new candidate for fighting Striga hermonthica infestation?

Abstract

Nitrogen (N)-deficiency and lack of phosphorus (P) availability are major constraints to maize yields in Western Kenya. In a two-season field study in the lake Victoria basin, we tested the capacity of white lupin (Lupinus albus (L.), cv. Ultra), as a nitrogenfixing crop with a highly efficient P-acquisition capacity, to increase maize yields when used as a companion or cover crop, or as a source of organic matter. Each experiment was performed on three different fields (Vertisols) differing in N/P availability, previous cropping history and in levels of infestation by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Our results show that white lupin led to significantly higher yields of maize when used as a cover crop. When lupin was grown as a companion crop, it also slightly enhanced the yield of the co-cultivated maize. When lupin shoots were incorporated to the soil, the positive effect of lupin on maize growth was field-dependent and only occurred in the field most heavily infested with S. hermonthica. Despite the beneficial impact on maize yield, no clear effect of lupin on soil N and P availability or on maize N/P uptake were observed. In contrast, lupin significantly inhibited infestation of maize by S. hermonthica: when lupin was grown together with maize in pots inoculated with S. hermonthica, the emergence of the weed was strongly reduced compared to the pots with maize only. This work opens a new range of questions for further research on white lupin and its potential beneficial impact as a S. hermonthica-inhibiting crop.

Do NERICA rice cultivars express resistance to Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. and Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze under field conditions?

“…The two field sites (particularly Kyela) are characterized by poor soil fertility, caused by continuous crop production without nutrient replenishment by appropriate fertilizer applications. Confirming our own soil fertility assessments, soils in Kyela are characterized by 0.16% N and around 5 ppm of available P ( Mghase et al, 2010 ) while soils in Mbita have been reported to have 0.09–0.12% N and 6.3–13.3 ppm available P ( Weisskopf et al, 2009 ). This relative poor soil fertility has certainly negatively affected crop performance, in particular in Kyela.…”

Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants: do non‐mycorrhizal species at both extremes of nutrient availability play the same game?

“…Lupins also strongly inhibit germination of the seeds of the parasitic weed, Striga hermonthica , thus increasing the yield of maize ( Zea mays ) when used as a cover crop (Weisskopf et al . ). Similarly, we found evidence of inhibition of mycorrhizal sporulation near cluster roots of Banksia prionotes (Proteaceae; F.P.…”

The Effect of Dehulling Lupine Seeds (Lupinus albus L.) from Low-Alkaloid Varieties on the Chemical Composition and Fatty Acids Content

“…The lupine plant is considered adequate for sustainable agriculture due to its capacity to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil [3] and its suitability for crop rotation, being a good precursory for other plant cultures [4]. However, the nutrient content of lupine seeds and their quality are influenced by the species, cultivars, selected agrotechniques and pedoclimatic factors for plant growth [5].…”