Nutrient Utilization and Yield Response of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) to Rhizobium Inoculant and Sulphur Fertilization
Gebrekidan Feleke Mekuria,
Walelign Worku,
Asnake Fikre Woldemedhin
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, June 2019
Pages:
64-72
Received:
7 May 2019
Accepted:
13 June 2019
Published:
18 July 2019
Abstract: Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is a major food crop in Ethiopian. It is affordable protein source and important in sustaining soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its current national productivity of 1.46 t ha-1 is lower than its potential due to inadequate agronomic management practices, nutrient imbalance and lack of indigenous or commercial Rhizobium strains of lentil. Therefore, the field experiment was conducted at Ada’a district under rain-fed condition during 2016/17 main cropping season to assess the role of S and Rhizobium inoculant on nodulation, nutrient utilization and yield response of lentil. The experiment consisted of three levels of S (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1) and Rhizobium inoculant (un-inoculated and inoculated) in a factorial combination using Alemaya lentil variety as a test crop. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed the interaction of sulphur fertilization and Rhizobium inoculant were significant on days to flowering, number of nodules plant-1, nodule dry weight plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, aboveground dry biomass, seed yield, seed S uptake, haulm S uptake, total S uptake, sulphur agronomic and recovery efficiency as well as sulphur harvest index. Application of 40 kg S ha-1 without Rhizobium inoculant led to produce the highest seed yield (2.27 t ha-1) and delayed days to flowering (46 days) of lentil whereas, the highest nodule dry weight plant-1 (1.1mg) and sulphur harvest index (17.68%) were obtained at the rate of 40 kg S ha-1under Rhizobium inoculations. On the other hand the maximum number of nodule plant-1 (15.60), number of seed pod-1 (1.99), total aboveground dry biomass (8.22 t ha-1), Sulphur agronomic efficiency (32.11kg ha-1), sulphur recovery efficiency (66.00 kg ha-1) were obtained in response to sulphur application at 20 kg ha-1 under Rhizobium inoculations. Moreover, Rhizobium inoculation without S fertilization gave the highest seed (3.88kg ha-1), haulm (23.33kg ha-1) and total S uptake (24.89 kg ha-1). Rhizobium inoculation without S application had high net benefit, relatively low variable cost with an acceptable and maximum MRR for lentil production in Ada'a district. However, since the experiment was conducted only for one season and one site, repeating the trial at different sites as well as in the same trial site would be important in order to draw sound recommendation.
Abstract: Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is a major food crop in Ethiopian. It is affordable protein source and important in sustaining soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its current national productivity of 1.46 t ha-1 is lower than its potential due to inadequate agronomic management practices, nutrient imbalance and lack of indigenous or ...
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Analyzing Constraints and Opportunities of Urban Agriculture in the Greenbelt of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Delphine Bernadette Ouédraogo,
Bassirou Belem,
Delwendé Innocent Kiba,
Zacharia Gnankambary,
Hassan Bismarck Nacro,
Papaoba Michel Sedogo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, June 2019
Pages:
73-80
Received:
17 June 2019
Accepted:
10 July 2019
Published:
23 July 2019
Abstract: Urban agriculture (UA) is seen as one of the solutions for ensuring food security in African cities, but it remains marginalized. In Burkina Faso, it is not explicitly taken into account in Agricultural Development Plans. Here we analyze the opportunities and constraints related to the practice of UA in the Green belt of Ouagadougou and provide informations that may be useful to land use decision-makers. The results after a review of literature and field surveys showed that women represented 55% of producers. The age of the producers was between 21 and 80 years old and that of the farms was between 1 and 70 years old. The surfaces managed are between 0.25 to 5 hectares. The farms found belonged to individuals 65% or families 35%. About 30 species of plants were grown for consumption or sale at the same proportions. The problems faced by farmers included lack of agricultural inputs and equipment, lack of irrigation water, low soil fertility. The solutions to overcome those problems according to the farmers included, support with fountains, fertilizers and finances. We found that men invested more in market oriented agriculture than women and that farmers who own land invested more in fertilizer application. The land acquisition is continuous and not organized leading to a degradation of the green belt. For a better management of the Green belt we suggest among other things to develop a management plan and set up an exchange framework and precise specifications for the exploitations.
Abstract: Urban agriculture (UA) is seen as one of the solutions for ensuring food security in African cities, but it remains marginalized. In Burkina Faso, it is not explicitly taken into account in Agricultural Development Plans. Here we analyze the opportunities and constraints related to the practice of UA in the Green belt of Ouagadougou and provide inf...
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