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MULCHING EFFECT OF <i>Dactyladenia barteri</i> (Hook. f. ex Oliv.), <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> (Lam.) de Wit, <i>Gliricidia sepium</i> (Jacq.), and <i>Senna siamea</i> (Lam.) LEAVES ON SOIL TEMPERATURE, MOISTURE REGIME AND YIELD OF MAIZE


D. O. ASAWALAM
W. O. ENWEZOR
N. N. AGBIM

Abstract

A two-year field study was conducted to investigate the effects of mulches of multipurpose trees on soil properties and yield of maize. The field layout was a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Results of the study showed that the mulching effect of the prunings was highest with Dactyladenia barteri and lowest with Leucaena leucocephala. Moisture tension less than 50 hPa were more frequent under Dactyladenia barteri at 10cm and Senna siamea at 30cm soil depth. There were significant increases in maize grain yield over the control in both years. Mulching effect on grain yield was higher in the second season cropping than in the first season cropping. The effect of mulch applied at the start of the first season cropping on second season grain yield was highest under mulches of Leucaena leucocephala and Dactyladenia barteri.



[Niger Agric. J. 34 (2003): 36-43]

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print ISSN: 0300-368X