Effects of Rhizobium inoculation and cropping systems involving common bean and lablab on water use efficiency, weeds and insects pests’ infestation

Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2017, Vol 10, Issue 3

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during two cropping seasons (2015-2016) at Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) farm to determine the effect of Rhizobium inoculation and intercropping systems of maize and legumes (common bean and lablab) on soil moisture content, weeds and insect pests’ infestation. The experimental design followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a 3-factorial arrangement with 4 replications per treatment. The experimental treatments consisted of 2 levels of Rhizobium inoculation (with and without rhizobia), 2 legumes (P. Vulgaris and L. purpureus) and 5 cropping systems (sole maize or sole legumes, 1 row maize to 1 row legumes (1:1) i.e. 0 m or 0.45 m of legume from maize row, 1 row maize to 2 rows of legumes (1:2) i.e. 0.1 m or 0.2 m of legumes from maize rows). The results showed that the population of the insect pests had no significant effect between the sole crop and intercrops in both seasons while from field observation, the weeds population decreased for intercrop systems compared with sole crop system. On the other hand, soil moisture content had significant effect (P≤0.001) due to Rhizobium inoculation, legumes and cropping systems in both seasons. The result showed significant (P≤0.01) interactive effect between Rhizobium and cropping systems on insect pests’ infestation in season 1. The interaction between Rhizobium, legumes and cropping systems had significant effect (P≤0.01) on soil moisture content in both seasons. These suggest further research to identify cropping systems that will decrease insect pests’ infestation, weeds and increases soil moisture content.

Authors and Affiliations

Prosper I. Massawe, Kelvin M. Mtei, Linus K. Munishi, Patrick A. Ndakidemi

Keywords

Related Articles

The effects of Glomus mosseae on growth and physiology of Acacia albida Del. seedlings under drought stress

The effects of Glomus mosseae on morphology (basal diameter, seedling height, root length, root volume, leaf surface, root and shoot dry weight, root length) and physiology (transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, ph...

The effect of different salinity levels on leaf length and breadth of 20 genotypes of monogerm and sugar beet polygerm in greenhouse conditions

Salinity is one of the most important limiting factors of economic use of grounds for cultivation of agricultural plants and one of the most significant research areas of researchers of the new plant science is the stud...

Effects of the mixed probiotic microalgae-bacteria, Skeletonema costatum-Bacillus subtilis, on Stress tolerance and innate immunity prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating in Penaeus monodon larvae

Shrimp farming like other industries, requires modern methods and techniques for increasing production yield. Novel technologies and other sciences such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and microbiology have important...

Impact of wastewater irrigation on concentration and absorption of nutrients and heavy metals in barley in calcareous soils

In arid and semiarid regions such as Iran, wastewater reuse can be a means to compensate for the lack of water. The use of refined wastewater in agriculture will reduce the use of agriculture water that it can be used f...

Estimation of carbon sequestration and micronutrient in oak high forest soils

The main challenge of modern world, especially in arid and semi- arid regions, is climate warming due to green house gases. With regard to the role of forests in decreasing green house gases (by means of carbon sequest...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP39084
  • DOI -
  • Views 198
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Prosper I. Massawe, Kelvin M. Mtei, Linus K. Munishi, Patrick A. Ndakidemi (2017). Effects of Rhizobium inoculation and cropping systems involving common bean and lablab on water use efficiency, weeds and insects pests’ infestation. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES), 10(3), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-39084