Abstract
A study was conducted at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute-Serere, Uganda for three seasons (2013 short rains, 2014 long rains and 2014 short rains) to investigate the effect of crop residues and animal manure on soil bulk density (SBD), soil moisture content (SMC) and water use efficiency (WUE) of sesame. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments comprised: control, 4 crop residues, 2 animal manures and combinations of 2 animal manures and 4 crop residues all applied at two rates of 3 and 6 t/ha. Plots treated with 6 t/ha of millet husks produced the highest SMC (37.46%) and lowest SBD (1.1717 g/cm3) across seasons; while plots treated with 3 t/ha of millet husks produced the highest WUE of sesame (9.92 kg ha-1 mm-1) across seasons compared with other crop residue and animal manure treatments applied singly. Soil moisture content was highest (38.09%) and SBD lowest (1.0520 g/cm3) across seasons in plots treated with 6 t/ha of poultry manure plus millet husks; while plots amended with 3 t/ha of poultry manure plus millet husks produced the highest WUE of sesame (9.40 g/cm3) across seasons compared with other treatments. Crop residues influenced SMC and SBD in the order; millet husks > cowpea husks > sorghum husks > groundnut shells. Crop residues affected WUE of sesame in the order; millet husks > sorghum husks > groundnut shells > cowpea husks. This study has demonstrated that poultry manure plus millet husks have a potential to enhance WUE of sesame.
Highlights
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is cultivated in north eastern Uganda (NEU) as a food security and income crop, its yields have greatly declined due to poorly distributed rain coupled with low soil water retention (FEWSNET, 2005)
Plots treated with 6 t/ha of millet husks produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher soil moisture content (SMC) (29.18%, 37.46% and 33.49%) in 2013 SR, 2014 LR and 2014 SR respectively compared to other crop residue treatments (Table 3a)
Plots treated with 6 t/ha of poultry manure produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher SMC (29.20%, 36.13%and 30.61% in 2013 SR, 2014 LR and 2014 SR respectively compared to other animal manure treatments (Table 3a)
Summary
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is cultivated in north eastern Uganda (NEU) as a food security and income crop, its yields have greatly declined due to poorly distributed rain coupled with low soil water retention (FEWSNET, 2005). Inadequate rains cause reduced availability of soil water for crop growth and conversion to biomass and yield (Herwaarden, 2001; Abbate et al, 2004). Low soil moisture impedes organic residue decomposition and this coupled with low plant biomass results in little organic matter accumulation (Ekaya, 2007). The soils remain poor with low moisture retention contributing to persistently low crop yields. North eastern Uganda has large quantities of crop residues and animal manure that can be applied on soils to improve their soil physical properties and sesame productivity
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