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Effects of Tillage and Crop Residue Application on Soybean Nitrogen Fixation in a Tropical Ferralsol

Author

Listed:
  • Job Kihara

    () (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Institute of CIAT, Box 30677, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF), Walter-Flex Str. 3, Bonn 53113, Germany)

  • Christopher Martius

    () (Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF), Walter-Flex Str. 3, Bonn 53113, Germany)

  • Andre Bationo

    () (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA-Alliance), CSIR Office Complex, #6 Agostino Neto Road, Airport Residential Area, PMP KIA 114, Airport-Accra, Ghana)

  • Paul L. G. Vlek

    () (Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF), Walter-Flex Str. 3, Bonn 53113, Germany)

Abstract

This study was aimed at quantifying soybean ( Glycine max ) nitrogen fixation under reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) in a tropical Ferralsol of the sub-humid zone of western Kenya, using the isotope 15 N dilution method. Crop residue (CR) management was a superimposed treatment in soybean-maize rotation and intercropping systems. This study quantified N in abscised soybean leaves. Soybean-N derived from the atmosphere (%NDfA) ranged between 41–65%; it was higher ( P −1 with intercropping and 53–82 kg N ha −1 with rotation. Seasonal litter fall contained about 15 kg N ha −1 , with 54% NDfA. Annual nitrogen balances with soybean and maize grain removed were better in RT (−9 to −32 kg N ha −1 ) than in CT (−40 to −60 kg N ha −1 ). Application of P increased nodule weight ( P

Suggested Citation

  • Job Kihara & Christopher Martius & Andre Bationo & Paul L. G. Vlek, 2011. "Effects of Tillage and Crop Residue Application on Soybean Nitrogen Fixation in a Tropical Ferralsol," Agriculture, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 1(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:1:y:2011:i:1:p:22-37:d:15298
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    intercropping; litter fall; N balance; %NDFA; 15 N dilution;

    JEL classification:

    • Q1 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General
    • Q11 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Aggregate Supply and Demand Analysis; Prices
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q17 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agriculture in International Trade
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy

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