Yield trends in the long-term crop rotation with organic and inorganic fertilisers on Alisols in Mata (Rwanda)
A crop rotation system with various species was established on Alisols at Mata grassland site, oriental side of Zaire-Nile Watershed Divide (CZN), Rwanda. Inorganic and organic fertilizers were applied in various plots under randomized complete blocs with three replicates. Crop yield data for each season were recorded over a 9-year period. Results showed that there was very low or no harvest in plots without fertilizers. In plots with fertilizers, the yield generally increased but remained relatively low, few crops and varieties adapted to the Mata ecology, only potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] and finger millet [Eleusine coracana] responded well to fertilizers. Liming was absolutely necessary to get any acceptable crop yield improvement with NPK. High rate of rich farmyard manure was efficient and its effect was recorded up to 4 seasons after four regular seasonal applications. Mata compost (C:N >25, 0.3 g P kg-1) had little beneficial effect. One, four and half, and eight tonnes of lime per ha applied 3 times in 8 years increased soil pH (in water) but not up to 6.5. It is concluded that to improve food production at the CZN area, selection of crops and varieties to fit ecological conditions and amending soils to fit crops must be considered.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article/Letter to editor biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | Alisols under grass, Crop rotation, Inorganic and organic fertilisers, Mata/Rwanda, Yield improvement, |
| Online Access: | https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/yield-trends-in-the-long-term-crop-rotation-with-organic-and-inor |
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| Summary: | A crop rotation system with various species was established on Alisols at Mata grassland site, oriental side of Zaire-Nile Watershed Divide (CZN), Rwanda. Inorganic and organic fertilizers were applied in various plots under randomized complete blocs with three replicates. Crop yield data for each season were recorded over a 9-year period. Results showed that there was very low or no harvest in plots without fertilizers. In plots with fertilizers, the yield generally increased but remained relatively low, few crops and varieties adapted to the Mata ecology, only potatoes [Solanum tuberosum] and finger millet [Eleusine coracana] responded well to fertilizers. Liming was absolutely necessary to get any acceptable crop yield improvement with NPK. High rate of rich farmyard manure was efficient and its effect was recorded up to 4 seasons after four regular seasonal applications. Mata compost (C:N >25, 0.3 g P kg-1) had little beneficial effect. One, four and half, and eight tonnes of lime per ha applied 3 times in 8 years increased soil pH (in water) but not up to 6.5. It is concluded that to improve food production at the CZN area, selection of crops and varieties to fit ecological conditions and amending soils to fit crops must be considered. |
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