Influence of Long Term Application of Green Manure on the Productivity of Coconut Cultivated in Reddish Brown Latosolic Soils in Sri Lanka
Keywords:
Gliricidia, Coconut, Tithonia, green manure, soil amendment
Abstract
Organic matter contributes in maintaining soil fertility in agriculture. Green leaf biomasses of Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia are high in plant nutrients and recognized as potential green manure sources for many crops. In a field experiment carried out in a coconut plantation with Reddish Brown Latosolic soil, two green manure crops were grown to study their abilities and establishment in coconut avenues and to evaluate their effect on nut yield. In situ green manuring, especially with legumes, had the most beneficial effect on soil improvement. The use of green biomass alone has improved soil properties. The biomasses of Gliricidia and Tithonia decomposed rapidly after application to the soil, and incorporated biomass would be an effective source of N, P and K for crops. Results showed that, coconut yields were significantly increased with the incorporation of green biomass of Gliricidia and Tithonia than with commercial inorganic fertilizer application. Mean nut yield for five years in the green manure applied plots was (37-46%) significantly (P < 0.05) higher, compared to that of the inorganic fertilizer applied plots towards the latter part of the experiment. Addition of green manure has significantly (P < 0.05) improved the soil parameters i.e. soil N (by 75%), organic C content (by 86%) and soil microbial activity (by 52%). Soil bulk density has been reduced by 20% which enhances the root growth. The improvement of soil moisture content by 92% is of great importance for coconut in withstanding the frequent dry spells which are on increasing trend with the present climatic change situations. There was no significant effect of green manures on soil pH and P but P content was improved with the use of green biomasses of Gliricidia and Tithonia.
References
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Chirwa, T.S., Black, C.R., Ong, C.K. and Maghembe, J. (2006). Nitrogen dynamics in southern Malawi containing Gliricidiasepium, pigeon pea and maize, Agroforestry Systems 67: 93-106.
Doran, J.W., Fraser, D.G., Culik, M.N., Liebhardt, W.C. (1988). Influence of alternative and conventional agricultural management on soil microbial process and nitrogen availability. Am. J. Alternative Agric. 2, 99–106.
Egodawatta, W.C.P., Sangakkara, U.R., Stamp, P. (2012). Impact of Green Manure and Mineral Fertlizer Inputs on Soil Organic Matter and Crop Productivity in a Slopping Landscape of Sri Lanka. Field Crops Research, 129, pp. 21-27.
Eilitta, M., Mureithi, R., and Derpsch, P. (eds.) (2004). Green manure/cover crops systems of smallholder farmers. Kluwer Academic Publishers, London.
Eriksen, J. (2005). Gross sulphur mineralization-immobilization turnover in soil amended with plant residues. Soil Biol. Biochem. 37, 2216–2224.
Fageria, N K. (2007). Green manuring in crop production. J Plant Nutrition 30: 691 – 719.
Follett, R.F., Paul, E.A. and Pruessner, E.G. (2007). Soil Carbon Dynamics during a Long Term Incubation Study Involving 13C and 14C Measurements. Soil Science, 172, 189-208.
Ganunga, R, Yerokun, O., Kumwenda, J. D. T., (1998). Tithoniadiversifolia: an organic source of nitrogen and phosphorus for maize in Malawi. In: Waddington SR et al. (ends) Soil Fertility Research for Maize-Based Farming Systems in Malawi and Zimbabwe, pp. 191–194.
Gachengo, C.N., Palm, C.A., Jama, B., Othieno, C. (1999). Tithonia and Senna green manures and inorganic fertilizers as phosphorus sources for maize in western Kenya. Agroforestry Systems, 44: 21-36.
Generose, N., Cheryl, B., Rowland, J.B. and Paul, C.S. (1998). Soil phosphorus fractions and absorption as affected b organic and inorganic sources. Plant and Soil, 1980: 159-168.
Hartemink, A. E. (2003): Soil fertility decline in the tropics – With case studies on plantations. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K.
George TS, Gregory PJ, Robinson JS, Buresh RJ, Jama BA (2001). Tithoniadiversifolia: variations in leaf nutrient concentration and implications for biomass transfer. Agroforest Syst 52:199–205.
Gulser, C., Demir, Z. and Serkan, I.C. (2010). Changes in Some Soil Properties at Different Incubation Periods after Tobacco Waste Application. Journal of Environmental Biology, 31, 671-674.
Hartemink, A. E. (2003). Soil fertility decline in the tropics – With case studies on plantations. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K.
Hsieh, H.C. and Hsieh, C.F. (1990). The use of organic matter in Crop Production, Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre Taipei, China, Extension Bulleting No. 315: 18.
Jama, B.A., Palm, C.A., Buresh, R.J., Niang, A.I., Gachengo, C., Nziguheba, G., Amadalo, B. (2000). Tithoniadiversifolia as a green manure for soil fertility improvement in Western Kenya: a review. Agroforestry Systems, 49: 201-202.
Jeyamala, M. and Soman P. (1999). Short term changes in soil fertility status in intensively managed Teak plantation. Indian Journal of Forestry, 22: 106-111
JI, S. N. and Under, P. W. (2001): Soil water accumulation under different precipitation, potential evaporation and straw mulch conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal 65, 442–448.
Joergensen, R.G. (2002). Challenges to organic farming and sustainable land use in the tropics and subtropics. J. Agric. Tropics and Subtropics 103: 105 – 105.
Kimaro, A.A., Timmer, V.R. and Mugasha, A.G. (2007). Nutrient use efficiency and biomass production of tree species for rotational woodlot systems in semi-arid Morogoro, Tanzania. Agroforestry Systems 71: 175-184.
Kuchenbuch, R. O. and Ingram, K. T. (2004). Effects of soil bulk density on seminal and lateral roots of young maize plants (Zea mays L.). Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 167, 229–235.
Mahindapala, R. (1989). Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka Report. CRB, Sri Lanka.
Mapa, R.B., Dassanayake, A.R. and Nayakekorale, H.B. (2005). Soils of the Intermediate zone of Sri Lanka: morphology, characterization and classification. Soil Science Society of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Manivannan, S., Balamurugan, M., Parthasarathi, K., Gunasekaran, G. and Ranganathan, L.S. (2009). Effect of Vermicompost on Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity-Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Journal of Environmental Biology, 30, 275-281
Nagarajah, S. and Amarasiri, S.L. (1977). Use of organic materials as fertilizers for lowland rice in Sri Lanka. Soil organic matter studies. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 97-104.
Niang, A., Amadalo, B., Gathumbi, S. and Obonyo, C.O. (1996). Maize yield response to green manure application from selected shrubs and tree species in Western Kenya: a preliminary assessment. In: Mugah J O (ed) Proceedings of the First Kenya Agroforestry Conference on People and Institutional Participation in Agroforestry for Sustainable Development, pp. 350-358.
Nosengo, N. (2003). Fertilized to death. Nature, 425, pp. 894–895.
Olabode, O.S., Ogunyemi, S., Akanbi, W.B., Adesina, G.O. and Babajide, P.A. (2007). Evaluation of Tithoniadiversifolia (Hemsl.) A Gray for soil improvement. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 3 (4): 503-507.
Okogun, J.A., Sanginga, N. and Mulongoy, K. (2000). Nitrogen contribution of five leguminous trees and shrubs to alley cropped maize in Ibadan, Nigeria. Agroforestry Systems 50-2: 123-136.
Palm, C.A, Gachengo, C.N., Delve, R.J., Cadish, G, Giller, K.E. (2001). Organic inputs for soil fertility management in tropical agroecosystems: application of an organic resource base. Agric. Ecosys. Env. 83: 27– 42.
Reddy, K.S., Mohanty, M. and Rao, D.L.N. (2008). Nitrogen Mineralization in a Vertisol from organic manures, green manures and crop residues in relation to their quality. Agrochimica 52-6: 377-388.
Sangakkara, U.R. (1989). The role of leguminous alley crops in the nitrogen nutrition of selected annual crops in smallholder farming systems of Sri Lanka. Van der Heide, j. (Eds.) Nutrient management for food crop production in tropical farming systems; symposium, Malang, Indonesia, October 19-24, 1987. V+394p. Institute for soil fertility: Haren, Netherlands; Universitas Brawijaya: Malang, Indonesia: 271-278.
Sangakkara, U.R., Liedgens, M. and Soldati, A. (2004). Root and shoot growth of maize (Zea mays) as affected by incorporation of Crotalaria juncea and Tithoniadiversifolia as green manures. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 190: 339-346.
[SAS] Statistical Analysis Systems, (1999). SAS 1, STAT Users Guide, Release, 7.00 Cary, NC: Statistical Analysis Systems Institute, 1028.
Schjonning, P., Elmholt, S. and Christensen, B. (eds.) (2004): Soil quality management – Concepts and terms. In: Managing soil quality: Challenges in modern Agriculture. CABI, Wallingford, U.K, 1–16.
Sileshi, G. and Mafongoya, P.L. (2006). Long-term effects of improved legume fallows on soil invertebrate macrofauna and maize yield in eastern Zambia. Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment 115: 69-78.
Silva, G.T.A., Matos, L.V. and Nobrega, P.D. (2008). Chemical composition and decomposition rate of plants used as green manure. Scientia Agricola 65: 298-305.
Six, J., Conant, R.T., Paul, E.A. and Paustian, K. (2002). Stabilization mechanisms of soil organic matter: implications for C-saturation of soils. Plant and Soil, 241, 155–176.
Stokdale, E. A., Lampkin, N. H., Hovi, M., Keating, R., Lennartsson, E. K. M., Macdonald, W., (2000). Agronomic and environmental implications of organic farming systems. Advances in Agronomy, 70, pp. 261–327.
Zingore, S., Mafongoya, P., Nyamugafata, P. and Giller, K. E. (2003). Nitrogen mineralization and maize yields following application of tree prunings to a sandy soil in Zimbabwe. Agroforesty Systems 57, 199–211.
Published
2017-10-01
How to Cite
Senarathne, S. H. S. (2017). Influence of Long Term Application of Green Manure on the Productivity of Coconut Cultivated in Reddish Brown Latosolic Soils in Sri Lanka. CORD, 33(2), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.37833/cord.v33i2.49
Section
Articles
