@article{Sambo:230301,
      recid = {230301},
      author = {Sambo, Banake E. and Odion, Ehiabhi C.},
      title = {Clipped Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Fodder  Management: A Potential for Soil Organic Matter Enrichment  in Degraded Savannah Soils of Nigeria},
      journal = {Sustainable Agriculture Research},
      address = {2015},
      number = {526-2016-37966},
      year = {2015},
      abstract = {Severe nutrient depletion of the soils of the savannah  tropics of Africa over the years has made it difficult to  improve the productivity of varieties of crops using  cultural practices alone. But interestingly, it has been  observed that when a cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)  crop is cut (clipped) before senescence; it can regenerate  after defoliation (provided there is enough soil moisture).  And when the clipped organic fodder is added and/or  ploughed back into the soil, it enriches the soil organic  matter (SOM) content that in turn enhances crop  productivity. Thus, this study was carried out with the  objective of determining the influence of intra-row  spacing, clipping height and time on the productivity of  cowpea and SOM; at the Institute for Agricultural Research,  Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria; during the  2002-2005 wet seasons. The experimental lay out was a  Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three  times. The collected data was analyzed statistically using  the analysis of variance test (ANOVA); and the means  separation was done using the Duncan Multiple Range Test  (DMRT). Results showed that the textural class of the  experimental site soil was loam silt; with a conducive pH  of (6.6 in 2002 and 5.5 in 2005), for crop growth. The soil  organic carbon content (SOC), nitrogen (N) and cation  exchange capacity (CEC) were very low (0.30 g kg-1, 0.88 g  kg-1 and 4.90 respectively) in 2002. These increased to  10.37 g kg-1, 2.2 g kg-1 and 11.10 respectively in 2005.  Total rainfall in 2002 was 1007.9mm and 871.5mm in 2005.  Mean air temperature, relative humidity and sunshine hours  in 2002 ranged between 21.0-31.5 °C, 16.0-90.6 and 4.5-8.5  respectively; while mean air temperature and relative  humidity ranged between 24.7-32.0 °C and 40.5-85.3%  respectively in 2005. Total harvested clipped fodder yield  was 15t ha-1; and this was added to the soil; and it  effectively increased SOM content by about 42%.  Consequently, it was concluded that the adoption of this  innovative clipping management technology, holds great  potential of improving soil pH, increasing soil CEC, SOM  and crop productivity generally, for the low technology,  resource poor, and subsistence farmers in the region.  Without doubt, overcoming SOM decline is a major component  in the development of more sustainable agro-systems.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/230301},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.230301},
}