Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties

Aims: To assess the effects of potato-legume intercropping on selected soil physical and chemical properties after four consecutive growing seasons (from the short rains in 2014 to long rains 2016). Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replicates. The...

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Main Authors: Gitari, H.I., Gachene, C.K.K., Kamau, S., Nyawade, S., Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar, Karanja, N.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102097
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author Gitari, H.I.
Gachene, C.K.K.
Kamau, S.
Nyawade, S.
Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar
Karanja, N.
author_browse Gachene, C.K.K.
Gitari, H.I.
Kamau, S.
Karanja, N.
Nyawade, S.
Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar
author_facet Gitari, H.I.
Gachene, C.K.K.
Kamau, S.
Nyawade, S.
Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar
Karanja, N.
author_sort Gitari, H.I.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Aims: To assess the effects of potato-legume intercropping on selected soil physical and chemical properties after four consecutive growing seasons (from the short rains in 2014 to long rains 2016). Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replicates. The treatments were potato-dolichos (PD); potato-garden pea (PG); potato-bean (PB) intercropping systems, and a pure stand of potato (PS). After every harvest, crop residues were ploughed back and selected soil physico-chemical properties were assessed after two years of cultivation. Results: Potato-legume intercropping resulted in a significant increase down the slope for clay and silt under PS, PG and PB whereas, an opposite observation was made for sand and bulk density. Nonetheless, under PD, slope position had no significant effect on soil physical properties. In all cropping systems, a significant increase was observed down the slope for pH and cation exchange capacity. Similar observations were made for phosphorous, nitrogen and organic carbon under all the cropping systems except PD. Conclusions: This study has established PD as a viable intercropping system, which could be adopted by farmers for improved soil fertility.
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spelling CGSpace1020972025-03-13T09:46:12Z Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties Gitari, H.I. Gachene, C.K.K. Kamau, S. Nyawade, S. Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar Karanja, N. potatoes legumes soil fertility crop residues intercropping Aims: To assess the effects of potato-legume intercropping on selected soil physical and chemical properties after four consecutive growing seasons (from the short rains in 2014 to long rains 2016). Methods: The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replicates. The treatments were potato-dolichos (PD); potato-garden pea (PG); potato-bean (PB) intercropping systems, and a pure stand of potato (PS). After every harvest, crop residues were ploughed back and selected soil physico-chemical properties were assessed after two years of cultivation. Results: Potato-legume intercropping resulted in a significant increase down the slope for clay and silt under PS, PG and PB whereas, an opposite observation was made for sand and bulk density. Nonetheless, under PD, slope position had no significant effect on soil physical properties. In all cropping systems, a significant increase was observed down the slope for pH and cation exchange capacity. Similar observations were made for phosphorous, nitrogen and organic carbon under all the cropping systems except PD. Conclusions: This study has established PD as a viable intercropping system, which could be adopted by farmers for improved soil fertility. 2019-05-01 2019-07-08T21:11:30Z 2019-07-08T21:11:30Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102097 en Limited Access Springer Gitari, H.I.; Gachene, C.K.K.; Karanja, N.N.; Kamau, S.; Nyawade, S.; Schulte-Geldermann, E. 2019. Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties. Plant Soil. ISSN 0032-079X. 438: 1-2. pp 447-460.
spellingShingle potatoes
legumes
soil fertility
crop residues
intercropping
Gitari, H.I.
Gachene, C.K.K.
Kamau, S.
Nyawade, S.
Schulte-Geldermann, Elmar
Karanja, N.
Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title_full Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title_fullStr Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title_full_unstemmed Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title_short Potato-legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico-chemical properties
title_sort potato legume intercropping on a sloping terrain and its effects on soil physico chemical properties
topic potatoes
legumes
soil fertility
crop residues
intercropping
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/102097
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