TITLE:
Incorporation of Leguminous Cover Crops in Smallholder Cassava-Based Production System in Western Tanzania
AUTHORS:
Peter Z. Matata, Alexandre M. A. Passos, Leah W. Masolwa, Alaerto L. Marcolan, Rodrigo da S. Ribeiro
KEYWORDS:
Mucuna pruriens, Canavalia ensiformis, Intercropping, Rotation, Climate Change
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.13,
December
27,
2017
ABSTRACT: Small-scale crop production in many parts of
Tanzania is constrained by many problems among which soil fertility degradation
is a major problem. Over 80% of cassava (Manihot
esculenta) production in Tanzania is done by the small-scale farmers who
continuously cultivate their fields, but use limited inputs to restore depleted
plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to examine the best legume
species that could be incorporated in cassava (Manihot esculenta) production systems under farmers’ conditions and
result in increase in soil fertility and crop yields. Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were either incorporated with cassava (Manihot esculenta) or planted as sole
crop in rotation with cassava. Mucuna
pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis were
found to produce almost similar amount of biomass. The two legumes, however,
produced higher biomass in rotation than intercropping system. The amount of
biomass produced by Mucuna pruriens and Canavalia ensiformis in
rotation system was 6.28 t·ha-1 and 5.31 t·ha-1,
respectively. The Mucuna use represents an input of nitrogen into the soil
which simulates a saving cost of 181.42 and 141.96 US$ ha-1. In the
first year, cassava root yields were significantly increased (p -1) by the use of intercropping
of cassava (Manihot esculenta) with Mucuna pruriens (2.41 t·ha-1)
and or Canavalia ensiformis (2.25 t·ha-1). Intercropping and rotation of cassava with legumes increase cassava yield
and represent a sustainable alternative to reduce the farms’ dependence on
external inputs and to enhance inherent soil fertility.