Nitrogen budgets in crop sequences with or without phosphorus-fertilised cowpea in the maize-based cropping systems of semi-arid eastern Africa

J.M. Vesterager, N.E. Nielsen, Henning Høgh Jensen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Advantages of cowpea were tested in terms of net N-input by cowpea mono-or intercropped with maize in a crop sequence where sparingly soluble P sources were added to the first year crop. The grain yield of maize grown after cowpea monocrop was doubled and the N uptake increased by 60% compared to maize following maize. The N-value of growing cowpea monocropped prior to maize monocrop was equivalent to the application of 50 kg N ha(-1) as mineral fertiliser. When maize followed a maize-cowpea intercrop, grain yield was increased by 67%. Around 34% of the N contained in cowpea residues was recovered in the following maize as estimated by N-15. There was however no benefit on the second season maize of applying sparingly soluble P sources to the first season legume.
Original languageEnglish
JournalAfrican Journal of Agricultural Research
Volume2
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)261-268
ISSN1991-637X
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cowpea
  • Crop sequences
  • Maize
  • Nitrogen budgets
  • Sparingly soluble phosphorus

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