Abstract:
Influence of different organic mulch materials on soil properties and on the growth and yield
response of maize-soybean intercrop was investigated at the Teaching and Research Farm,
University of Abuja. The mulch treatments used include; Centrosema pubescens, Sawdust, Rice
husk and No- mulch. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD) with four replications. Soil pH and Electrical conductivity were observed to have been
lower under mulched plots. Soil organic carbon was generally low (1-9 g/kg) for maize while for
soybean OC across mulch treatment ranged from 2- 17 g/kg; with the highest OC value (17 g/kg)
recorded under sawdust. A significantly (P< 0.05) highest maize grain yield (1.01ton/ha) and
stem diameter (10.3 cm) was observed under Centrosema pubencens while the least grain yield
(0.66 ton/ha) was obtained under sawdust treatment. The highest soybean grain yield of 0.14
ton/ha was recorded under Centrosema pubescens treatment while the lowest grain yield of 0.12
ton/ha was recorded under sawdust treatment. The varied effect of organic mulch treatment on
some soil characteristics and also on the growth and yield of maize - soybean mixture is a
reflection of the effects of organic mulch on the microclimate of the soil. |
