Effects of crop rotation and fallow residue management on maize growth, yield and soil carbon in a savannah-forest transition zone of Ghana

• Published in: The Journal of agricultural science Vol. 147; no. 3; pp. 313 - 322
• Main Authors: ADIKU, S. G. K., JONES, J. W., KUMAGA, F. K., TONYIGAH, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Agricultural management; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Cajanus cajan; Carbon; Corn; corn stover; cowpeas; crop residue management; Crop residues; Crop rotation; Crop yield; dry matter accumulation; Elephantidae; fallow; Fertilizer application; forage crops; forage legumes; Forest farming; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; grain yield; Grasses; mineral fertilizers; Mucuna; Mucuna pruriens; Organic carbon; Pennisetum purpureum; pigeon peas; Plant growth; prescribed burning; Savannahs; soil organic carbon; Soils; Stover; Transition zone; Vigna unguiculata; Zea; Zea mays; Ghana; West Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Africa; Monocotyledones; Zea mays; Savannah; Forest zone; Growth; Tropical zone; Transition zone; Carbon; Cereal crop; Waste management; Soils; Gramineae; Crop rotation; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Yield; Fallow

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of seven maize (Zea mays)–fallow rotation and fallow residue management treatments on growth, maize yield and soil carbon within a savannah-forest farming zone of Ghana. Over a 4-year period, maize rotated with bare fallow (control) pro...