Abstract
Nutrient-poor
soils coupled with micronutrient deficiency among many rural resource-poor
communities remain a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Nutrient-poor soils can
be managed through various soil amendment or fertilisation strategies.
Micronutrients can be supplied through plants. The study was aimed at
determining the symbiotic nitrogen fixation of cowpea as well as the
contribution of inter-cropping under varying levels of nitrogen, phosphorus,
and potassium (NPK) fertilisation. In addition, the amount of micronutrients
supplied by cowpea and amaranth were determined. The experiment was laid out in
a 2 × 4 factorial treatment structure in a completely randomised design, with
inter-cropping (cowpea and amaranth) and fertiliser (control, 25%, 50%, and
100% of the recommended NPK levels) as treatment factors with four
replications. Symbiotic N2 fixation of cowpea decreased from
341–448 kgN.ha−1 to 77–91 kgN.ha−1 for the
first year and 557–227 kgN.ha−1 to 92−164 kgN.ha−1 for
the second year with fertilisation. The iron and zinc nutritional yield increased
(61–210 g.ha−1 for first year and 304–867 g.ha−1,
for second year), proportional to fertiliser application to both crops. The
research shows the benefits of leguminous crops in soil nutrient fertility and
inorganic fertilisation with inter-cropping in managing micronutrient
deficiency to meet the nutritional needs of rural communities.
Key Words
Cowpea
Amaranth
Inter-cropping
N2 fixation
Hidden hunger
Nutritional yield
By Thesis Doctor
Follow Us on: Website Facebook Page Instagram YouTube Channel
Contact Us: Skype call or Chat WhatsApp BisApt
No comments:
Post a Comment