International Journal of Manures and Fertilizers

ISSN 2756-3863

International Journal of Manures and Fertilizers ISSN 2756-3863 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Green manure from prunings and mineral fertilizer affect phosphorus adsorption and uptake by maize crop in a gliricidia-maize intercropping

D. E. Mweta1, F. K. Akinnifesi2*, J. D. K. Saka1, W. Makumba2 and N. Chokotho1

1University of Malawi, Chancellor College, P. O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi.

2World Agroforestry Centre (Malawi), Chitedze Agricultural Research station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

Accepted 7 September, 2023

Abstract

Gliricidia sepium-maize intercropping has shown to be a suitable option for soil nutrients replenish-ment and for sustainable crop production in Southern Malawi. This study was carried out to understand the effect of green manure on phosphorus sorption and subsequent crop uptake under gliricidia (G. sepium)-maize intercropping. The experiment consisted of a factorial combination of two cropping practices (maize with and without gliricidia), three rates of inorganic N fertilizer (0, 46 and 92 kg N/ha), and inorganic phosphorous (P) fertilizer (0, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) combined. Application of gliricidia prunings and inorganic P fertilizers reduced the P sorption capacity of the soil and maize P uptake. Langmuir P affinity constant and the Freundlich P adsorption constant were significantly reduced with application of gliricidia prunings and inorganic P fertiliser. Combination of gliricidia prunings and inorganic P fertiliser further reduced the P sorption capacity of the soils compared to gliricidia prunings alone. The results indicate that addition of gliricidia prunings increases P availability through reduced P sorption capacity of the soil and recycling of P. combination of gliricidia prunings and inorganic P fertiliser has an added benefit compared to application of either gliricidia prunings or inorganic P fertiliser alone.

Key words: Agroforestry, organic and inorganic fertilizers, P sorption, P uptake.


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W. Makumba and N. Chokotho on Google Scholar W. Makumba and N. Chokotho on Pubmed F. K. Akinnifesi* on Google Scholar F. K. Akinnifesi* on Pubmed J. D. K. Saka on Google Scholar J. D. K. Saka on Pubmed D. E. Mweta on Google Scholar D. E. Mweta on Pubmed