ISSN:
1573-0867
Keywords:
Arachis hypogaea
;
intercropping
;
maize
;
N2 fixation
;
N-transfer
;
15N
;
Vigna radiata
;
Vigna unguiculata
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Grain legumes are used widely in intercropping systems. However, quantitative and comparative data available as to their N2 fixation and N beneficial effect on the companion crop in intercropping systems are scarce. Hence, studies were conducted to ascertain the above when cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were intercropped with maize. The study was15N-aided and made outdoors in basins (30 L) filled with 38 kg of soil.15N labelling was effected by incorporating15N-tagged plant material or applying15N-labelled fertilizer along with sucrose to stabilize15N enrichment in the soil during the experimental period. Intercropped groundnut fixed the highest amount of nitrogen from the atmosphere (i.e. 552 mg plant−1), deriving 85% of its N from the atmosphere. Intercropped cowpea and mungbean fixed 161 and 197 mg N plant−1, obtaining 81% and 78% of their N content from the atmosphere, respectively. The proportion of N derived by maize from the associated legume varied from 7-11% for mungbean, 11–20% for cowpea and 12–26% for groundnut which amounted to about 19–22, 29–45 and 33–60 mg N maize plant−1, respectively. The high nitrogen fixation potential of groundnut in dual stands and its relatively low harvest index for N have apparently contributed to greater N-benefical effect on the associated crop.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00749861
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