Effects of leguminous plant residues and NPK fertilizer application on the performance of yam (Dioscorea rotundata ‘c.v.’ ewuru) in south-western Nigeria
The effects of cultivating and incorporating residues of previous tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) and soybean (Glycine max) with application of NPK fertilizer on yam performance were evaluated at the teaching and research farm, LAUTECH, Nigeria. There were nine
treatments: incorporation of legume residues (5 t DM ha−1), application of recommended fertilizer rate for yam (90–50–75 kg NPK ha−1) in the zone or 50% of recommended rate (45–25–37.5 kg NPK ha−1), alone
and in combination with residues and a control without residues or fertilizer in a randomized complete block design. Cultivation of previous legumes reduced soil nematode population (>200%) compared with no legumes. For both years, application of Pueraria residues improved tuber
yield by an average of 15.8% compared with control. Fertilizer application enhanced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of yam roots but AM colonization was lower (∼50%) in plots where Pueraria residues were incorporated compared with other plots. Combined application of plant
residues with fertilizer improved soil organic carbon, total N, exchangeable Ca and Mg compared with application of NPK fertilizer. From these results, it is concluded that half of the recommended NPK rate may be adequate and incorporation of residues with reduced NPK fertilizer application
may be a sustainable soil fertility management option for continuous yam production.
Keywords: Dioscorea rotundata; Nigeria; mineral fertilizer; mycorrhiza; nematodes; organic residues; soil fertility
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Department of Crop Production and Soil Science,Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), PMB 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Publication date: 01 March 2013
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