Hepelwa, Rebeca2026-02-042026-02-042013https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7277DissertationThe effect of incorporation of legume biomass residues on Striga infested soils was evaluated at Mangalali and Kiwere villages in Iringa district, Tanzania. Six legumes: [cow pea (Vigna unguiculata). green gram (Vigna radiatci), mucuna (Mucuna puriens). jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis), sunhemp (Crotaliria ochroleuca) and chick pea (Cicer arielinum)] plus two controls (no fertilizer added and one level of fertilizer 80 kg N ha-1 as urea) as nitrogen source were evaluated in randomized complete block design experiment. The legumes and their biomass quantities were incorporated into the soil four weeks prior to planting maize during 2011/12 growing season in the field. Significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded for soil chemical properties. Soil pH increased from (6.33 to 6.39) and (4.88 to 5.31) at Mangalali and Kiwere villages respectively. The highest organic carbon increase was recorded in plots incorporated with cowpea and mucuna with increases of 14% and 5% compared to chickpea (1%) at Mangalali village. At Kiwere village the highest organic carbon increase were recorded in plots incorporated with sun hemp (38%) and cow'pea (36%) compared to chickpea (1%). The highest N increase was observed in sun hemp (101.8%) followed by cowpea with an increase of (90.2%) compared to chickpea (12%) at Mangalali village, while at Kiwere village the highest N increases were recorded in sun hemp and cow-pea with increases of 553.84% and 541.67%, respectively compared to green gram (169.23%). Mucuna, sun hemp and cowpea also improved soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen and available P. Hence there were significant differences (P sun hemp (3.5 t ha'1) > mucuna (3.4 t ha'1) > green gram (2.3 t ha'1) > canavalia (2.1 t ha'1) > chick pea and control (1.6 t ha'1). Among legumes, cowpea incorporation was observed to produce higher yield compared to the other studied legumes. The incorporation of cowpea, mucuna and sunhemp legume residues are recommended to be used by poor resource farmers to improve soil fertility, reduce Striga infestation and increase maize yield in Striga infested areas with low soil fertility.enLegume biomassSoil fertilityMaizeStriga infested soilsIringaTanzaniaThesis