Browsing by Author "Otim Godfrey Anyoni"

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Combined Effects of Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yields of Maize and Soil Nutrient Availability
(Sustainability, 2023-01-25) Abdoulaye Fofana Fall; Grace Nakabonge; Joseph Ssekandi; Hassna Founoune-Mboup; Arfang Badji; Abibatou Ndiaye; Malick Ndiaye; Paul Kyakuwa; Otim Godfrey Anyoni; Clovis Kabaseke; Amos Kipkemoi Ronoh; Joseph Ekwangu
The excessive application of mineral fertilizers in maize cultivation leads to progressive soil contamination in the long term and increases the cost of production. An alternative to reduce over- fertilization is to perform a partial replacement with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). A pot experiment which was followed by two field experiments was performed with and without the application of indigenous AMF in combination with five nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilization rates (100% NPK = N120P60K60; 75% NPK = N90P45K45; 50% NPK = N60P30K30; 25% NPK = N30P15K15; control = N0P0K0). The objective was to investigate whether the soil application of indigenous mycorrhizal fungi inoculum combined with NPK fertilization can provide higher maize yields and soil-available N, P, and K than chemical fertilization can alone. The greenhouse results showed that the application of AMF with a 50% NPK treatment significantly increased the plant’s growth, root colonization, leaf chlorophyll content, and N, P, and K tissue content. The results from the field conditions showed that there was a highly significant yield after the treatment with AMF + 50% NPK. The study also revealed that mycorrhizal fungi inoculation increased the available soil N and P concentrations when it was combined with a 50% NPK dose. This suggests that the inoculation of fields with AM fungi can reduce the chemical fertilizer application by half, while improving soil chemistry. The results suggested that AMF inoculation can be used in integrated soil fertility management strategies.
Effects of Intercropping on Maize and Soybean Yield Performance, Land Equivalent Ratio, and Maize Leaf Area in Conservation Agriculture
(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2023-12-15) Otim Godfrey Anyoni; Tumwebaze Susan; Ekwangu Joseph; Mudde Barnabas; Obia Alfred
Maize-soybean intercropping systems as a conservation farming practice are receiving increased focus from the scientific community. This is because of the advantages of intercropping, especially nutrient benefits through cereal-legume interactions, alternative sustainable methods to manage biotic stress (pests, diseases, weeds), and crop failure risk management due to erratic weather. In addition, smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops. In Uganda, 40% of smallholder farmers are practicing intercropping yet no adequate location-specific information is available to inform their practice. Farmers who adopted conservation farming practices did not mulch their maize due to drudgery associated with collecting mulch. This study evaluated the effect of two tillage methods (T1 = Conventional tillage using ox drawn mould board plough, T2 = Minimum tillage using ox drawn ripper) and five soil cover practices (SC1 = Mulched Maize, SC2 = Control no mulch, SC3 = Two rows of soybean in between one row of maize, SC4 = One row of soybean in between one row of maize, SC5 = Sole soybean) on maize and soybean yield performance. The trials were established for 4 rainy seasons on a sandy loam ferrosol at National Agricultural Research Organization Institute in Lira, Uganda. Soil cover practice had a significant effect on maize and soybean crop Yield. Mulching significantly increased maize yield and LAI. The LER for both intercropping partterns were above 1.2. Tillage methods were not significantly different in determining crop performance. The practice of minimum tillage should also be adopted because it enhances the positive effects of soil cover (intercropping). We recommend farmers to adopt the intercropping pattern of one row of soybean in between maize row spaced at 75 × 30 cm for better LER, and crop performance. This intercropping pattern maximizes on available resources to deliver better output in conservation farming. Maize crop generally performed better during first season as compared to second season. We recommend farmers to utilize the first rains as the main maize production season.