Knowledge Center Catalog

Pigeonpea in Zimbabwe:

Mapfumo, P.

Pigeonpea in Zimbabwe: A new crop with potential - Harare (Zimbabwe) Soil Fert Net|CIMMYT : 1998 - Printed

A study to investigate the potential contribution of pigeonpea to soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems was initiated at Domboshava and in Murewa Communal Area during the 1996/97 cropping season. Its main focus is on biological nitrogen fixation and pigeonpea residue management. A participatory rural appraisal was first conducted to investigate the current role of legumes in soil fertility management in the farming systems. Limited use of legumes was revealed and was attributed to unavailability of seed and over-emphasis on maize production. The population levels of pigeonpea-nodulating rhizobia in 21 different soils were determined. The rhizobial populations were low (1-121 cells/g soil), but there were indications of a rapid population build-up after one season of growing pigeonpea. Short, medium and long duration pigeonpeas were grown, and their residual effects on a subsequent maize crop will be tested in the 1997/98 season. Pigeonpea and maize biomass yields were assessed during the 1996/97 cropping season. Both maize and pigeonpea biomass yields were greatly reduced due to waterlogging, but long duration pigeonpea showed better recovery. The pigeonpea biomass yields ranged from 30 kg/ha for short duration to 9200 kg/ha for long duration. Although pigeonpea performance proved promising on the relatively infertile soils, there is need to determine optimum plant populations. Utilization aspects of the crop also need attention.


English

970-648-006-4


Management
Nitrogen fixation
Pigeon peas
Zimbabwe
Rotational ---Término tomado de AGROVOC
Zea mays
Soil fertility
Farming systems

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