Crop residue application increases nitrogen fixation and dry matter production in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown on an acid sandy soil in Niger, West Africa

Rebafka, F P and Ndunguru, B J and Marschner, H (1993) Crop residue application increases nitrogen fixation and dry matter production in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown on an acid sandy soil in Niger, West Africa. Plant and Soil, 150 (2). pp. 213-222. ISSN 1573-5036

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Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy reasons of 1989, 1990 and 1991 on an acid sandy soil in Niger, West Africa, to assess the effect of millet straw application (+CR) on growth and N2 fixation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Three years of +CR (4 t ha−1 yr−1) increased symbiotic N2 fixation, total dry matter production (haulm plus pods) by 83% and total nitrogen (N) accumulation by 100%. Concentration of N in the shoot dry matter and total N in the soil were only slightly affected by the +CR treatment. Crop residue application increased the concentration of potassium (K) and molybdenum (Mo) and decreased the concentrations of aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn) distinctly, both in the plant (shoot and nodule dry matter) and in the soil. The increase in dry matter production and N uptake was mainly due to improved N2 fixation reflected by enhanced formation and growth of nodules as well as nitrogenase activity. This was attributed to improved chemical soil conditions, particularly to the higher availability of Mo and the lowered content of available Al and Mn. Although with the application of 4 t CR ha−1, 60 kg K were supplied, increased growth could not be attributed to the additional supply of K.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: Mandate crops > Groundnut
Depositing User: Mr Charan Sai Ch
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2011 03:58
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2013 12:30
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/3059
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00013018
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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