Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T14:27:54.119Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

EFFECT OF REDUCED TILLAGE AND MINERAL FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON MAIZE AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTIVITY

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

J. KIHARA ,
A. BATIONO ,
B. WASWA ,
J. M. KIMETU ,
B. VANLAUWE ,
J. OKEYO ,
J. MUKALAMA  and
C. MARTIUS
J. KIHARA*
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
A. BATIONO
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
B. WASWA
Affiliation:
Center for Development Research (ZEF), Walter-Flex-Str. 3, D-53113 Bonn, Germany
J. M. KIMETU
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
B. VANLAUWE
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
J. OKEYO
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
J. MUKALAMA
Affiliation:
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
C. MARTIUS
Affiliation:
Center for Development Research (ZEF), Walter-Flex-Str. 3, D-53113 Bonn, Germany Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Avenida dos Astronautas 1758, 12227-010 São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
*
‡Corresponding author. Email: mjob@uni-bonn.de
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Reduced tillage is said to be one of the potential ways to reverse land degradation and ultimately increase the productivity of degrading soils of Africa. We hypothesised that crop yield following a modest application of 2 t ha−1 of crop residue in a reduced tillage system is similar to the yield obtained from a conventional tillage system, and that incorporation of legumes in a cropping system leads to greater economic benefits as opposed to a cropping system involving continuous maize. Three cropping systems (continuous maize monocropping, legume/maize intercropping and rotation) under different tillage and residue management systems were tested in sub-humid western Kenya over 10 seasons. While soybean performed equally well in both tillage systems throughout, maize yield was lower in reduced than conventional tillage during the first five seasons but no significant differences were observed after season 6. Likewise, with crop residue application, yields in conventional and reduced tillage systems are comparable after season 6. Nitrogen and phosphorus increased yield by up to 100% compared with control. Gross margins were not significantly different among the cropping systems being only 6 to 39% more in the legume–cereal systems relative to similar treatments in continuous cereal monocropping system. After 10 seasons of reduced tillage production, the economic benefits for our cropping systems are still not attractive for a switch from the conventional to reduced tillage.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 159 - 175
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Amornkul, P. N., Vandenhoudt, H., Nasokho, P., Odhiambo, F., Mwaengo, D., Hightower, A., Buve, A., Misore, A., Vulule, J., Vitek, C., Glynn, J., Greenberg, A., Slutsker, L. and De Cock, K. M. (2009). HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among individual aged 13–34 years in rural western Kenya. PlosOne 4 (7): e6470.Google Scholar
Andraski, T. W., Bundy, L. G. and Kilian, K. C. (2003). Manure history and long-term tillage effects on soil properties and phosphorus losses in runoff. Journal of Environmental Quality 32: 1782–1789.Google Scholar
Astatke, A., Jabbar, M. and Tanner, D. (2003). Participatory conservation tillage research: an experience with minimum tillage on an Ethiopian highland Vertisol. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 95: 401–415.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bàrberi, P. and Cascio, B. L. (2001). Long-term tillage and crop rotation effects on weed seedbank size and composition. Weed Research 41 (4): 325–340.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bationo, A. (2008). Integrated Soil Fertility Management Options for Agricultural Intensification in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of West Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: Academy Science.Google Scholar
Benites, J. (2008). Effect of no-till on conservation of the soil and soil fertility. In No-Till Farming Systems, vol. special publication no.3 (Eds Goddard, T., Zoebisch, M. A., Gan, Y. T., Ellis, W., Watson, A. and Sombatpanit, S.). Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation.Google Scholar
Biamah, E. K. (2005). Coping with Drought: Options for Soil and Water Management in Semi-Arid Kenya. PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.Google Scholar
Camara, K. M., Payne, W. A. and Rasmussen, P. E. (2003). Long-term effects of tillage, nitrogen, and rainfall on winter wheat yields in the Pacific Northwest. Agronomy Journal 95: 828–835.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
CIMMYT (1988). From Agronomic Data to Farmer Recommendations: An Economics Training Manual. Mexico, D.F.: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.Google Scholar
Dam, R. F., Mehdi, B. B., Burgess, M. S. E., Madramootoo, C. A., Mehuys, G. R. and Callum, I. R. (2005). Soil bulk density and crop yield under eleven consecutive years of corn with different tillage and residue practices in a sandy loam soil in central Canada. Soil & Tillage Research 84: 41–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Doran, J. W., Wilhelm, W. W. and Power, J. F. (1983). Crop residue removal and soil productivity with no-till corn, sorghum and soybean. Soil Science Society of America 48: 640–645.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erenstein, O. (2003). Smallholder conservation farming in the tropics and sub-tropics: a guide to the development and dissemination of mulching with crop residues and cover crops. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 100: 17–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erenstein, O., Sayre, K., Wall, P., Dixon, J. and Hellin, J. (2008). Adapting no-tillage agriculture to the conditions of smallholder maize and wheat farmers in the tropics and sub-tropics. In No-Till Farming Systems, vol. special publication no. 3, 253–278 (Eds Goddard, T., Zoebisch, M. A., Gan, Y. T., Ellis, W., Watson, A. and Sombatpanit, S.). Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation.Google Scholar
Fischer, R. A., Santiveri, F. and Vidal, I. R. (2002). Crop rotation, tillage and crop residue management for wheat and maize in the sub-humid tropical highlands, II. Maize and system performance. Field Crops Research 79: 123–137.Google Scholar
Fowler, R. and Rockstrom, J. (2001). Conservation tillage for sustainable agriculture: an agrarian revolution gathers momentum in Africa. Soil & Tillage Research 61: 93–107.Google Scholar
Gachengo, C. N., Palm, C. A., Jama, B. and Othieno, C. (1999). Tithonia and senna green manures and inorganic fertilizers as phosphorus sources for maize in western Kenya. Agroforestry Systems 44: 21–36.Google Scholar
Ghuman, B. S. and Sur, H. S. (2001). Tillage and residue management effects on soil properties and yields of rain-fed maize and wheat in a subhumid subtropical climate. Soil & Tillage Research 58 (1–2): 1–10.Google Scholar
Hoogmoed, W. B. (1999). Tillage for Soil and Water Conservation in the Semi-Arid Tropics. PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.Google Scholar
Hussain, I., Olson, K. R. and Ebelhar, S. A. (1999). Impacts of tillage and no-till on production of maize and soybean on an eroded Illinois silt loam soil. Soil and Tillage Research 52: 37–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kamara, A. Y., Kwari, J., Ekeleme, F., Omoigui, L. and Abaidoo, R. (2008). Effect of phosphorus application and soybean cultivar on grain and dry matter yield of subsequent maize in the tropical savannas of north-eastern Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology 7 (15): 2593–2599.Google Scholar
Kelly, A., Adesina, A. A. and Gordon, A. (2003). Expanding access to agricultural inputs in Africa: a review of recent market development experience. Food Policy 28: 379–404.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kihara, J., Kimetu, J., Vanlauwe, B., Bationo, A., Waswa, B. and Mukalama, J. (2008). Optimising crop productivity in legume-cereal rotations through nitrogen and phosphorus management in western Kenya. In Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 493–502 (Eds Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.Google Scholar
Kihara, J., Vanlauwe, B., Waswa, B., Kimetu, J., Chianu, J. and Bationo, A. (2010). Strategic phophorus application in legume-cereal rotations increases land productivity and profitability in western Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 46 (1): 35–52.Google Scholar
Kimani, S. K., Esilaba, A. O., Odera, M. M., Kimenye, L., Vanlauwe, B. and Bationo, A. (2007). Effects of organic and mineral sources of nutrients on maize yields in three districts of central Kenya. In Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 353–357 (Eds Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.Google Scholar
Knowler, D. and Bradshaw, B. (2006). Farmers’ adoption of conservation agriculture: a review and synthesis of recent research. Food Policy 32: 25–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lal, R. (1974). Soil temperature, soil moisture and maize yield from mulched and unmulched tropical soils. Plant and Soil 40: 129–143.Google Scholar
Landers, J. N. (2008). Environmental impacts and social dimensions of zero tillage conservation agriculture in tropical Brazil. In No-Till Farming Systems, vol. special publication no. 3, 103–134 (Eds Goddard, T., Zoebisch, M. A., Gan, Y. T., Ellis, W., Watson, A. and Sombatpanit, S.). Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation.Google Scholar
Laryea, K. B., Pathak, P. and Klaij, M. C. (1991). Tillage systems and soils in the semi-arid tropics. Soil & Tillage Research 20 (2–4): 201–218.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maatman, A., Wopereis, M. C. S., Debrah, K. S. and Groot, J. J. R. (2008). From thousands to millions: accelerating agricultural intensification and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. In Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 1091 (Eds Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.Google Scholar
Madari, B., Machado, P. L. O. A., Torres, E., de Andrade, A. G. and Valencia, L. I. O. (2005). No tillage and crop rotation effects on soil aggregation and organic carbon in a Rhodic Ferralsol from southern Brazil. Soil & Tillage Research 80: 185–200.Google Scholar
Malhi, S. S., Lemke, R., Wang, Z. H. and Chhabra, B. S. (2006). Tillage, nitrogen and crop residue effects on crop yield, nutrient uptake, soil quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. Soil & Tillage Research 90: 171–183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mazzoncini, M., Di Bene, C., Coli, A., Antichi, D., Petri, M. and Bonari, E. (2008). Rainfed wheat and soybean productivity in a long-term tillage experiment in Central Italy. Agronomy 100: 1418–1429.Google Scholar
Morris, M., Kelly, V. A., Kopicki, R. J. and Byerlee, D. (2007). Fertilizer Use in African Agriculture. Washington DC:World Bank.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mtambanengwe, F., Mapfumo, P. and Vanlauwe, B. (2006). Comparative short-term effects of different quality organic resources on maize productivity under two different environments in Zimbabwe. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 76: 271–284.Google Scholar
Mugwe, J., Mugendi, D., Kungu, J. and Muna, M.-M. (2009). Maize yields response to application of organic and inorganic input under on-station and on-farm experiments in central Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 45: 47–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muleba, N. (1999). Effects of cowpea, crotalaria and sorghum crops and phosphorus fertilizers on maize productivity in semi-arid West Africa. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 132: 61–70.Google Scholar
Niringiye, C. S., Kyamanywa, S. and Ssekabembe, C. S. (2005). Effect of plant population on yield of maize and climbing beans grown in an intercropping system. African Crop Science Journal 13 (1): 83–93.Google Scholar
Nziguheba, G., Palm, C.A., Buresh, R. J. and Smithson, P. C. (1998). Soil phosphorus fractions and adsorption as affected by organic and inorganic sources. Plant and Soil 198: 159–168.Google Scholar
Okalebo, R. J., Othieno, C., Woomer, P. L., Karanja, N. K., Semoka, J. R. M., Bekunda, M. A., Mugendi, D., Muasya, R. M., Bationo, A. and Mukhwana, E. J. (2007). Available technologies to replenish soil fertility in East Africa. In Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 45–62 (Eds Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.Google Scholar
Osunbitan, J. A., Oyedele, D. J. and Adekalu, K. O. (2005). Tillage effects on bulk density, hydraulic conductivity and strength of a loamy sand soil in southwestern Nigeria. Soil & Tillage Research 82: 57–64.Google Scholar
Ozpinar, S. and Cay, A. (2005). Effects of minimum and conventional tillage systems on soil properties and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in clay-loam in the Canakkale region. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 29 (1): 9–18.Google Scholar
Rockstrom, J., Kaumbutho, P., Mwalley, P. and Temesgen, M. (2003). Conservation farming among smallholder farmers in E. Africa: adapting and adopting innovative land management options. In Conservation Agriculture, 459–470 (Eds García-Torres, L., Benites, J., Martínez-Vilela, A. and Holgado-Cabrera, A.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosolem, C. A., Foloni, J. S. S. and Tiritan, C. S. (2002). Root growth and nutrient accumulation in cover crops as affected by soil compaction. Soil & Tillage Research 65: 109–115.Google Scholar
Rusinamhodzi, L., Corbeels, M., van Wijk, M. T., Rufino, M. C., Nyamangara, J. and Giller, K. E. (2011). A meta-analysis of long-term effects of conservation agriculture on maize grain yield under rainfed conditions. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. DOI: 10.1007/s13593-011-0040-2Google Scholar
Sanchez, P. A. (2002). Soil fertility and hunger in Africa. Science 295 (5562): 2019–2020.Google Scholar
Sánchez-Girón, V., Serrano, A., Hernanz, J. L. and Navarrete, L. (2004). Economic assessment of three long-term tillage systems for rainfed cereal and legume production in semiarid central Spain. Soil & Tillage Research 78: 35–44.Google Scholar
Schlecht, E., Buerkert, A., Tielkes, E. and Bationo, A. (2007). A critical analysis of challenges and opportunities for soil fertility restoration in sudano-sahelian West Africa. In Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 1–28 (Eds Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.Google Scholar
Scopel, E., Muller, B., Tostado, J. M. A., Guerra, E. C. and Maraux, F. (1998). Quantifying and modelling the effects of a light crop residue on the water balance: an application to rainfed maize in Western Mexico. In the Proceedings of XVI World Congress of Soil Science, Montpellier, France, August 20–26.Google Scholar
Six, J., Feller, C., Denef, K., Ogle, S. M., de Moraes, J. C. and Albrecht, A. (2002). Soil organic matter, biota and aggregation in temperate and tropical soils – effects of no-tillage. Agronomie 22: 755–775.Google Scholar
Spencer, D. S. C. (1993). Collecting meaningful data on labour use in on-farm trials in sub-Saharan Africa. Experimental Agriculture 29: 39–46.Google Scholar
Taa, A., Tanner, D. and Bennie, A. T. P. (2004). Effects of stubble management, tillage and cropping sequence on wheat production in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Soil & Tillage Research 76: 69–82.Google Scholar
Tittonell, P., Shepherd, K. D., Vanlauwe, B. and Giller, K. E. (2008). Unravelling the effects of soil and crop management on maize productivity in smallholder agricultural systems of western Kenya – an application of classification and regression tree analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment 123: 137–150.Google Scholar
Tursunov, M. (2009). Potential of conservation agriculture for irrigated cotton and winter wheat production in Khorezm, Aral Sea Basin. In Der Hohen Landwirtschaftlichen Fakultät, PhD thesis, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Rheinischen, Bonn.Google Scholar
Wander, M. M. and Yang, X. (2000). Influence of tillage on the dynamics of losse and occlude particulate and humified organic matter fractions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32: 1151–1160.Google Scholar
Wilhelm, W. W. and Wortmann, C. S. (2004). Tillage and rotation interactions for corn and soybean grain yield as affected by precipitation and air temperature. Agronomy Journal 94: 425–432.Google Scholar
Worku, W. (2004). Maize-tef relay intercropping as affected by maize planting pattern and leaf removal in southern Ethiopia. African Crop Science Journal 12 (4): 357–367.Google Scholar
Woyesa, Y. E. and Bennie, A. T. P. (2004). Factors affecting runoff and soil loss under simulated rainfall on a sandy Bainsvlei Amalia soil. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 21 (4): 203–208.Google Scholar
Yamoah, C. F., Bationo, A., Shapiro, B. and Koala, S. (2003). Soil management practices to improve nutrient-use efficiencies and reduce risk in millet-based cropping systems in the Sahel. TROPICULTURA 21 (2): 66–72.Google Scholar