Constraints and opportunities for legumes in the fertility enhancement of sandy soils in Zimbabwe
1999
Muza, L. (University of Zimbabwe, Harare (Zimbabwe). Department of Biological Sciences) | Mapfumo, P. (University of Zimbabwe, Harare (Zimbabwe). Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering)
In recent years, a number of legumes have been tried in soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems of Zimbabwe. Their performance have generally been limited by the poor soil fertility status in these farming systems. Low phosphorus and pH levels have been identified as the major limiting factors to legume biomass production. The nutritional stress has also undermined the N2-fixation potential of these legumes and hence their benefits to soil fertility. However, Velvet bean (Mucuna puriens L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp)) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp) are some of the legumes that have shown potential. Experimental results have demonstrated the need for selection of those genotypes which are tolerant to low soil fertility and low pH, and those that exhibit reasonable plasticity in their response to fluctuating soil moisture conditions in terms of biomass accumulation. Also discussed are some of the socio-economic constraints hindering the use of legume technologies in soil fertility management.
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