Legumes can be an important source of N for cereals in tropical, subsistence farming systems that use little or no fertilizers. Our objective was to identify measures of soil N availability, following growth of diverse legumes, that correlated with yield of a subsequent unfertilized maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Unfertilized maize followed nine 3-yr-old systems (six monocultures of planted trees legumes, a groundnut [Arachis hypogea L.]-maize-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation, an uncultivated fallow with natural regrowth of vegetation, and unfertilized maize monoculture) in two experiments on a Ustic Rhodustalf in eastern Zambia. Total soil C and N before maize planting were not related to grain yield of maize. Preseason soil inorganic N (NO3 + NH4), aerobic N mineralization, and light-fraction N (N in macroorganic matter, 150–2000 µm and
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1998.03615995006200060018xAltmetric score:
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Publication year
1998
Authors
Barrios E; Kwesiga, F.R.; Buresh R J; Sprent J I; Coe, R.
Language
English
Keywords
arachis hypogaea, calliandra calothyrsus, crop yield, experimental design, fallow, flemingia macrophylla, gliricidia sepium, glycine max, leucaena leucocephala, nitrogen
Geographic
Zambia
