Effects of different methods of plant residue management on soil properties and maize yield

Abstract

The effect of different methods of plant residue management on soil properties and maize yield were studied in a field experiment conducted on a Typic Kandihumult in Bambui, Northwest Province of Cameroon. Ankara (a local practice of slow burning partially buried dry plant residues) was compared with surface burning and burying plant residues under the ridges without burning. The comparison was made under no fertilizer and with fertilizer application. Intensive heat generation under the ankara resulted in aggregation of soil colloids into larger particles. The clay‐sized fraction fell by 48% while the silt‐sized fraction rose by 30%. The ankara released large amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and trapped adequate nitrogen (N) to sustain a maize yield six times that where residues were buried under the ridges without burning and no fertilizer application, and three times that of surface burning plant residues. The residual effects of the ankara on a second maize crop were not significant unless fertilizer NPK was applied. Poor residual effects of the ankara may be due to enhancement of leaching losses of N, K, and magnesium (Mg) from the root zone as a result of changes in the textural characteristics of the soil. Surface burning plant residues did not produce any adverse effects on soil particle size distribution.