Integration of cassava tuber and forage legume seed production for sustained soil fertility
1998
Lusembo, P. | Ebong, C. (Namulonge Agriculture and Animal Production Research Institute, Kampala (Uganda)) | Sabiiti, E.N.
Centro (Centrosema pubescens) was intercropped with cassava (Manihot esculenta) to determine whether the latter can provide vining support to the forage legume for increased seed yields, and improve soil conditions for subsequent croppings without significantly reducing tuber yield. Legume seed yield from the cassava-centro intercrop was 552 kg ha**-1 whereas 1000 kg ha**-1 was harvested from the centro sole crop that was staked. The cassava varieties (Tereka, Bukalasa, and Bao) that provided appropriate support for the legume succumbed to African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV) disease. Similar cassava root yields of ACMV-resistant cultivars intercropped with centro planted at the same time, one, five, and six months later implied that the legume did not have a significant effect on tuber yield. After harvesting, the soil from the cassava-centro intercrop had a higher soil N and organic matter (OM) content than the sole crop of cassava. Intercropping cassava and centro could provide tubers and forage legume seed and also improve soil N and OM for subsequent crops.
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