Skip to main content
Book cover

Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa pp 183–189Cite as

Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Increased Maize Production in the Degraded Farmlands of the Guinea Savanna Zone of Ghana Using Devil-Bean (Crotalaria retusa) and Fertilizer Nitrogen

Abstract

The native N and P of soils of the Guinea Savanna Zone of northern Ghana are only about 20 and 10% of the crops’ requirements, respectively, and organic matter content is usually below 1%. Hence, cereal yields without soil amendments are usually below 500 kg/ha. Organic residue and mineral fertilizer combinations are necessary to increase nutrient use efficiency. Devil-bean is a very promising leguminous cover crop for this agro-ecology. The best time to intercrop devil-bean in maize, effect of P on the maize, and the effect of incorporated devil-bean biomass on grain yield of N-fertilized maize were investigated. In 2003, devil-bean was drilled in maize at 1, 3, and 4 weeks after planting (WAP) the maize which received 0, 20, and 40 kg P/ha. Phosphorus enhanced maize growth and yield. The devil-bean biomass was incorporated into the soil in the 2004 growing season. Maize was planted, fertilized with 0, 20, and 40 kg N/ha, and intercropped again with devil-bean as before. About 40 kg N/ha fertilized maize grown on incorporated devil-bean intercropped at 1 WAP in 2003 had the highest grain yield of 1.59 t/ha. In 2005, the devil-bean intercropped in the 2004 40 kg N/ha maize at 3 WAP produced the highest biomass containing 42–88, 4–11, and 25–52 kg/ha of N, P, and K, respectively. Maize grain yield significantly increased with incorporated biomass with the highest biomass producing the highest grain yield. The cumulative effect of the biomass applications was significant in this study.

Keywords

  • Devil-bean biomass
  • Fertilizer nitrogen
  • Intercropping
  • Maize production
  • Soil fertility management

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-2543-2_17
  • Chapter length: 7 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   309.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-90-481-2543-2
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   399.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahiabor BDK, Fosu M, Tibo I, Sumaila I (2007) Comparative nitrogen fixation, native arbuscular mycorrhiza formation and biomass production potentials of some grain legume species grown in the field in the Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana. West Afr J Appl Ecol 11:89–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Asibuo JY, Osei-Bonsu P (1999) Influence of leguminous crops and fertilizer N on maize in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ghana. In: Carsky RJ, Etèka AC, Keatinge JDH, Manyong VM (eds) Cover crops for natural resource management in West Africa. Proceedings of a workshop organized by IITA and CIEPCA, Cotonou, Benin, pp 40–46, 26–29 Oct 1999

    Google Scholar 

  • Atayese MO, Awotoye OO, Osonubi O, Mulongoy K (1993) Comparisons of the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the productivity of hedgerow woody legumes and cassava at the top and base of a hillslope under alley cropping systems. Biol Fertil Soils 16:198–204

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bray RH, Kurz LT (1945) Determination of total organic available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci 59:39–45

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheruiyot EK, Mumera LM, Nakhone LN, Mwonga SM (2001) Rotational effect of legumes on maize performance in the Rift valley Highlands of Kenya. Afr Crop Sci J 9:667–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheruiyot EK, Mumera LM, Nakhone LN, Mwonga SM (2003) Effect of legume-managed fallow on weeds and soil nitrogen in following maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops in the Rift valley highlands of Kenya. Aust J Exp Agric 43:597–604

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Cheruiyot EK, Mwonga SM, Mumera LM, Macharia JK, Tabu IM, Ngugi JG (2007) Rapid decay of dolichos [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] residue leads to loss of nitrogen benefit to succeeding maize (Zea mays L). Aust J Exp Agric 47:1000–1007

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daft MJ, El-Giahmi AA (1974) Effect of endogone mycorrhiza on plant growth. VIII. Influence of infection on the growth and nodulation in French bean (P. Vulgaris). New Phytol 73:1139–1147

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fosu M (1999) The role of cover crops and their accumulated N in improving cereal production in Northern Ghana. PhD thesis, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerdemann JW (1975) Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae. In: Torrey JR, Clarkson DT (eds) The development and function of roots. Academic Press, New York, pp 575–591

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenland DJ (1985) Nitrogen and food production in the tropics: Contribution from fertilizer nitrogen and biological nitrogen fixation. In: Kang BT, van der Heide J (eds) Nitrogen management in farming systems in humid and sub-humid tropics. Institute of Soil Fertility and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Haren, Netherlands, pp 9–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayman DS (1982) Influence of soils and fertility on activity and survival of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Phytopathology 72:1119–1125

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayman DS, Johnson AM, Ruddlesdin I (1975) The influence of phosphate and crop species on Endogone spores and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza under field condition. Plant Soil 43:489–495

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kasei CN (1988) The physical environment of semi-arid Ghana. In: Unger PW, Sneed TV, Jordan WR, Jensen R (eds) Challenges in dryland agriculture, a global perspective. Proceedings of international conference on dryland farming, Amarillo/Bushland, TX, pp 350–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosse B (1973) Advances in the study of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. Ann Rev Phytopathol 11:171–196

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mosse B, Powell CLI, Hayman DS (1976) Plant growth responses to vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. IX. Interactions between VA mycorrhiza, rock phosphate and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. New Phytol 76:331–342

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DW, Sommers LW (1982) Total carbon and organic matter. In:Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds) Methods of soil analyses, part 2, 2nd edn. No. 9 Soil Society of America Book, Madison, WI, pp 301–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Nziguheba G, Merckx R, Palm CA (2005) Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in phosphorus-deficient soil amended with organic residues and fertilizers in western Kenya. Biol Fertil Soils 41:240–248

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA, Giller K, Mafongoya PL, Swift MJ (2001) Management of organic matter in the tropics: translating theory into practice. Nutr Cycling Agroecosyst 61:63–75

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA, Sanchez PA (1991) Nitrogen release from the leaves of some tropical legumes as affected by their lignin and polyphenolic contents. Soil Biol Biochem 23:83–88

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ravuri V, Hume DJ (1992) Performance of a superior Bradyrhizobium japonica and a selected Sinorhizobium fredii strain with soybean cultivars. Agron J 84:1051–1056

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sanginga N, Ibewiro B, Hougnandan P, Vanlauwe B, Okogun JK (1996) Evaluation of symbiotic properties and nitrogen contribution of Mucuna to maize growth in the derived savannas of West Africa. Plant Soil 179:119–129

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SE, Read DJ (1997) Mycorrhizal symbiosis, 2nd edn. Academic, San Diego, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Tel DA, Hagatey M (1984) Methodology in soil chemical analyses. In soil and plant analyses. Study guide for agricultural laboratory directors and technologists working in tropical regions. IITA, Nigeria, pp 119–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson BD, Robson AD, Abbott LK (1986) Effects of phosphorus on the formation of mycorrhizas by Gigaspora calospora and Glomus fasciculatum in relation to root carbohydrates. New Phytol 103:751–765

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Tiessen H (1989) Assessment of soil fertility management in sub-sahelian savannahs. In: Unger PW, Sneed TV, Jordan WR, Jensen R (eds) Challenges in dryland agriculture: a global perspective. Proceedings of the international conference on dryland farming, Amarillo/Bushland, TX, pp 396–399, 15–19 Aug 1988

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang WJ, Baldock JA, Dalal RC, Moody PW (2004) Decomposition dynamics of plant materials in relation to nitrogen availability and biochemistry determined by NMR and wet-chemical analysis. Soil Biol Biochem 36: 2045–2058

    CrossRef  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are profoundly grateful to the Food Crops Development Project of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana, for providing the funds for these studies. We also appreciate the administrative, material, infrastructural, support given to the authors by Savanna Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research during the conduct of this investigation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, Ghana

    B.D.K. Ahiabor, M. Fosu, E. Atsu, I. Tibo & I. Sumaila

Authors
  1. B.D.K. Ahiabor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Fosu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E. Atsu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. I. Tibo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. I. Sumaila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B.D.K. Ahiabor .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Soil Health Program, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Afric, Agostino Neto Road, Airport Res. Area 6, Accra, Ghana

    Andre Bationo

  2. , African Network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Inst., c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Boaz Waswa

  3. , African network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Inst., c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Jeremiah M. Okeyo

  4. , Socio-economics and Biometrics, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi, 00800, Kenya

    Fredah Maina

  5. , African Network for Soil Biology and Fer, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Inst, c/o ICRAF, Off UN Avenue, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Job Maguta Kihara

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Ahiabor, B., Fosu, M., Atsu, E., Tibo, I., Sumaila, I. (2011). Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Increased Maize Production in the Degraded Farmlands of the Guinea Savanna Zone of Ghana Using Devil-Bean (Crotalaria retusa) and Fertilizer Nitrogen. In: Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Okeyo, J., Maina, F., Kihara, J. (eds) Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2543-2_17

Download citation