Effect of alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala and fertilizer application on yield of vegetable crops

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of alley cropping vegetable crops with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit for two seasons on a sandy loam Oxic paleustalf in southwestern Nigeria. Four vegetable crops (Amaranthus cruentus L.; Celosia argentea L.; Okra, Hibiscus esculentus L.; and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in control plots and in 4-m wide alleys between established Leucaena hedgerows without and with fertilizer (30 N-13 P-24 K kg ha^–1). Leucaena prunings yielded large dry biomass and nutrients during both seasons. Yield of four vegetable crops responded more to fertilizer in control than in alley cropped treatments. Better yield of vegetables in alley cropped plots was in part due to following effect of the Leucaena hedgerows. Fertilizer application increased mean yields of Amaranthus, Celosia, okra and tomato by 325, 164, 47 and 94% in control plots and by 36, 26, 4 and 20% in alley cropped plots, respectively. For both seasons, yields were not significantly different between alley cropped with and without fertilizer and the control with fertilizer treatments. Yield was least in control without fertilizer. Alley cropping with Leucaena can reduce fertilizer requirement for vegetable production. Cost and return analysis using 1988 prices indicated that alley cropping with vegetable crops can be profitable.c/o Miss Maureen Larkin, L. W. Lambourn & Company, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon CR9 3EE, England     

热带四种按树人工林的土壤指标对氮肥反应的评价

较低氮利用性经常会导致桉树人工林的减产.为检验氮矿化的土壤指标的利用并预测桉树对添加氮肥的响应,研究四种桉树人工林(印度海岸低洼地2种细叶桉人工林和和喀拉拉邦高地的2种巨桉人工林)对添加氮肥和相关季节性氮矿化以及其他氮利用率指标的响应,测定几种生化指标对氮肥的响应,包括全氮,土壤C:N比和在厌氧、有氧孵化过程中释放的氮.结果表明,在4块实验地里,增加氮肥可以相应的提高生产率7%至70%;在有氧孵化过程中,释放的氮与氮肥间有最显著相关性(R2=0.92,p<0.01).与有氧孵化过程中释放的氮相比,季节性土壤氮矿化作用是一个较差的肥料响应的指标.虽然有的指标有很好的应用价值,但在广泛应用之前还需验证测试.     

Influence of Agroforestry and Traditional Management of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Soil Fertility

The aim of the work was to evaluate soil nutrient concentration at 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm in maize (Zea mays L.) grown in sequence with black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.) under Leucaena diversifolia alley cropping agroforestry system (AFS) and traditional management system/sole crop (without trees–TS), following a randomized block design. The experiment was carried out at the Brazilian Association of Biodynamic Agriculture, in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. The treatments were: control (C), chemical fertilizer (F), biomass of L. diversifolia alley cropping (B), and biomass of L. diversifolia alley cropping + chemical fertilizer (B+F).

After 2 yr, it was observed that pH, organic matter, and nutrient content had a tendency to show higher values in the treatments biomass+fertilizer, biomass, and fertilizer application, in both systems. Higher values in pH, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, percentage base saturation, boron, copper, and manganese tended to occur in the agroforestry system.     

施肥对云南松生长及其器官和土壤养分的影响

为探究配方施肥对云南松松针养分含量和土壤理化性质的影响,为云南松幼林抚育提供科学依据,以8年生云南松为试材,采用U*₁₅(15⁷)均匀设计开展复合肥、氮肥、磷肥、镁肥和硼肥配施的试验。处理组合的针叶长、烘干含水率、针叶全氮、全磷和全钾分别为23.90~27.34 cm、55.47%~60.88%、0.17%~0.57%、0.13%~0.33%和0.17%~0.82%,对照的则为24.14 cm、60.75%、0.35%、0.17%和0.29%。其中,全磷和全钾具有显著的差异。处理组合的土壤pH、烘干含水率、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾和胸径增长率分别为4.08~4.69、17.27%~34.59%、22.77~41.91、7.70~11.80、66.44~174.67 mg/kg和23.5%~50.3%,对照的则为4.42、17.27%、23.70、8.23、81.11 mg/kg和22.4%,处理组合间速效磷、速效钾和胸径增长率具有极显著的差异。土壤理化性质与因素具有复杂的相关性,硼肥与胸径增长率呈现显著的正相关;配施复合肥1.6 kg/3 cm、氮肥0.10 kg/3 cm、磷肥0.2 kg/3 cm,镁肥7.5 g/3 cm和硼肥1.5 g/3 cm可改善土壤理化性质,促进云南松幼树胸径生长。     

Partitioning of applied <Superscript>15</Superscript>N fertilizer in a longleaf pine and native woody ornamental intercropping system

The cultivation of ornamentals to produce woody floral products—the fresh or dried stems that are used for decorative purposes—may be an attractive option for southeastern landowners looking to generate income from small landholdings. Since many shrubs native to the understory of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem have market potential, one possibility is the intercropping of select species in the between-row spacing of young longleaf pine plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate how interspecific competition affects the fate of ¹⁵N fertilizer when American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.), wax myrtle (Morella cerifera (L.) Small) and inkberry (Ilex glabra (L.) A.Gray) are intercropped with longleaf pine. Nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDF), utilization of fertilizer N (UFN) and recovery of fertilizer N (RFN_soil) were compared between agroforestry and monoculture (treeless) treatments to assess the effects of competition. Results varied by species, with NDF being higher for C. americana foliage and lower for all M. cerifera tissues in the agroforestry treatment. No effect was observed for I. glabra. UFN was lower for all species in the agroforestry treatment. RFN_soil was higher in the agroforestry treatment for I. glabra, but no treatment effects were observed for C. americana or M. cerifera. Overall, while it is clear that interspecific competition was present in the agroforestry treatment, the inefficiency of fertilizer use suggests that nitrogen was not the most limiting resource. Management interventions, particularly those that address competition for water, will likely be critical to the success of this system.     

Diversity of Glomale Mycorrhizal Fungi in Maize/Sesbania Intercrops and Maize Monocrop Systems in Southern Malawi

The study investigated diversity and frequency of occurrence of glomale (Arbuscular- or Vesicular Arbuscular-) mycorrhizal fungi on three farming systems in a drought prone and nitrogen deficiency site in southern Malawi. The farming systems comprised of two agroforestry systems of Sesbania sesban (L) Merr intercropped with maize and Sesbania macrantha E Phillips & Hutch. intercropped with maize and a maize monocrop systems without fertilizer, with nitrogen, phosphorus and a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus. Species diversity and species frequency of occurrence were examined in soil samples obtained in the dry and wet seasons. Twelve glomale mycorrhizal species were recorded, four species being in the genus Acaulospora, four in Glomus, two in Gigaspora and two in Scutellospora. Species diversity in the two agroforestry systems were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different but had lower species diversity than maize monocrop with only Sesbania macrantha intercropped with maize significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower. Species diversity was significantly increased by the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. Inorganic phosphorus fertilizer had no effect. The study shows that the occurrence and persistence of glomale species are influenced by agroforestry combinations, and that the spores of most species are tolerant to dry conditions. Only four species responded to fertilizer application with the occurrence of spores of some species high and some low. Management practices have great implication in the persistence of spore propagules of glomale species. The order Glomale was revised in 2001 and upgraded to a phylum Glomeromycota.     

细菌肥料对湿地松幼龄林生长及土壤性质的影响

[目的]通过研究细菌肥料对湿地松幼龄林生长及对土壤养分、微生物群落功能多样性和酶活性的影响,为细菌肥料对湿地松土壤改良的应用提供参考,以期在促进湿地松生长及改良土壤的同时保持良好的生态环境。[方法]2016年7月在江西省分宜县山下林场采用随机区组设计,设置3个区组,3个处理,分别为细菌肥料处理、基质对照处理及不添加任何肥料的空白对照处理。2017年11月测量湿地松的株高和地径,采用5点取样法采集土壤样品,测定土壤密度、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度、最大持水量、有机质、有效磷、速效钾、水解性氮以及过氧化氢酶、磷酸酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性,用Biolog-ECO板分析微生物群落功能多样性。[结果]细菌肥料显著促进了湿地松幼苗株高和地径的增长,空白对照、基质对照处理和细菌肥料处理地径的相对增长量分别为98.27%、105.53%和123.09%,株高的相对增长量分别为55.69%、66.56%和85.18%,细菌肥料处理和基质对照处理均降低了土壤密度,增加了土壤毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度以及最大持水量,改善了土壤物理性质,但细菌肥料处理的作用更显著。细菌肥料和基质对照均提高了湿地松土壤的有机质、有效磷、水解性氮以及速效钾含量,但细菌肥料处理与空白对照处理之间在4种养分含量上均存在显著性差异,而基质对照与空白对照之间只在有机质含量上存在显著性差异。细菌肥料处理显著提高了土壤磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶以及脲酶活性,细菌肥料还使土壤微生物群落代谢活性、对6类碳源(碳水化合物类、氨基酸类、羧酸类、多聚物类、酚酸类和胺类)的利用能力以及土壤微生物群落的Shannon多样性指数(H)、Simpson优势度指数(D)、Pielou均匀度指数(J)和丰富度指数(S)显著提高,基质对照也促进了上述指标的升高,但效果并不显著。[结论]细菌肥料处理和基质对照处理均可以促进湿地松幼苗的生长,提高湿地松土壤有机质、有效磷、速效钾以及水解性氮的含量,同时使土壤过氧化氢酶、磷酸酶、蔗糖酶以及脲酶活性升高,提高土壤微生物多样性、均匀度、丰富度以及优势度指数,提高了微生物对单一碳源的利用能力以及代谢活性,但细菌肥料的作用效果更为显著,基质对照的作用效果并不显著。     

Effect of fertilization on growth and ectomycorrhizal development of container-grown and bare-root nursery conifer seedlings

The effect of three levels of fertilizer on thegrowth of three species of containerized-grownconifer seedlings (Pinus contorta, Picea glauca, and Picea mariana) and twospecies of bare-root conifer seedlings (Pinus sylvestris and Larix sibirica),and on the colonization of these seedlings bysix species of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Hebeloma longicaudum, Laccaria bicolor,Paxillus involutus, Pisolithustinctorius, Rhizopogon vinicolor andSuillus tomentosus), was studied. Thegrowth of the seedlings in both container-grownand bare-root nurseries increased as the levelsof fertilizer increased. For better seedlinggrowth and environmental quality it may be possible to reduce the level of fertilizers in commercial nurseries upto 33% by using selected mycorrhizal fungi.Ectomycorrhizal colonization in all seedlingswas not affected by fertilizer levels. Hebeloma longicaudum, L. bicolor, P.involutus, and P. tinctorius formedwell-developed ectomycorrhizae, whereasectomycorrhizal development by R.vinicolor and S. tomentosus was poor.Native mycorrhizal fungi colonizednon-inoculated control seedlings; however,their colonization was always lower than withinoculated fungi.     

Effect of thinning and fertilizer on the cellulose crystallite width of Eucalyptus globulus

An analysis of cellulose crystallite width, microfibril angle and wood density after the time of thinning (at 8 years) in straight vertical trees was undertaken in a 13-year-old E. globulus trial designed to assess the effect of thinning on tension wood formation. The most important effect was on cellulose crystallite width, which increased with thinning intensity and this was mitigated where fertilizer was applied at the time of thinning. Given the relationship between high crystallite width and tension wood occurrence the results demonstrate that heavy thinning of E. globulus at this age can contribute to tension wood formation. However, tension wood production may be significantly reduced where fertilizer is applied. This is possibly because increased diameter growth as a response to fertilizer application stabilises the stems and this is the mechanism by which trees cope with internal stresses that are generated from wind in destabilsed stands following thinning. In contrast, trees that respond poorly to thinning produce tension wood.     

强力班克木5个种源苗期生长研究

By afforestation trial, the adaptation and growing states of 5 Banksia robur provenances in Jianfengling of Hainan were studied, and the effects of provenance and fertilizer treatment on the survival rate, height and ground diameter were analyzed. The results showed that all the 5 provenances had a good adaptability in Hainan province. 2 months after planting, the survival rate was 85%, but it was easily affected by air humidity and became lower in the dry season, especially the provenance No.38164, showing that the B. robur needs wet environment. The study also found that different provenances and fertilizer treatments had significant impact and interactions on the growth of B. robur. The provenance No.38163 had the fastest grow speed, with 1.35 mm of ground diameter increment and 10.57 cm of height increment during 3 months, while the provenance No.38164 had the lowest grow speed. The provenance No.39163 also had a strong barren resistance, while the provenances No.38177 and No.38199 needed well water and nutrient conditions. Different fertilizer treatments could enlarge the difference in growth status of the provenances, and the composted cattle manure had the best effect on promoting growth status, which could be used as the best fertilizer in afforestation.     

Effects of solid water and foliar fertilizer on survival and growth of seedlings in sand prevention and control

To promote afforestation in sandy lands and increase the effects of prevention and control of desertification, the application of a new drought-resistant product—solid water and foliar fertilizer “Shifengle”—was studied. A comparison of three treatments (solid water, foliar fertilizer, and control) showed that both solid water and foliar fertilizer increased plant survival rate by 10% and 18.2%, respectively. Afforestation survival rates of Salix psammophila and Hedysarum mongolicum reached over 90%. In addition, height and crown growth as well as biomass of seedlings were improved by the treatments. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2006, 28(3): 76–80 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Nursery and field establishment techniques to improve seedling growth of three Costa Rican hardwoods

Seedlings of three economically important and ecologicallydifferent native hardwoods, Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae),Hyeronima alchorneoides (Euphorbiaceae), and Calophyllumbrasiliense (Clusiaceae), were grown in Rootrainers® (abook-type container), paper pots, and plastic bags filled witheither soil, soil with fertilizer, or compost substrates. Aftertransplanting in the field, treatments with and withoutfertilizer and herbicide were applied to all nursery stock types.In the nursery, species responded primarily to substrate type.Cordia grew better in bags of soil with NPK fertilizer andcompost than in unamended soil, probably responding to highernitrogen availability. Despite large treatment differences atplanting, there were no significant differences in plant sizeafter one year in the field between book containers and bags. Theexception were stump plants that were shorter and had highermortality. Hyeronima grew better in compost than in soil with orwithout fertilizer, probably responding to higher phosphorusavailability and lower bulk density of the compost. Plantsproduced in compost were also bigger after one year's fieldgrowth. Plants produced with soil or in paper pots had highermortality. Calophyllum grew less in compost compared to soil andgrew better when micronutrients were added to the compost andsoil. In the field, seedling produced in soil or withmicronutrients had higher survival or growth, respectively. Ingeneral, species grew better with herbicide and fertilizerapplication after transplanting. However, there were nointeractions with nursery treatments. Responses to fieldtreatments were independent and thus additive to the nurserytreatments. Differences in species response can be related tobiomass allocation patterns and ecology of the species.     

Vegetative propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litsea monopetala</Emphasis>, a wild tropical medicinal plant: Effects of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on stem cuttings

In this study we investigated the rooting ability and the growth performance of juvenile single-node leafy stem cuttings of Litsea monopetala (Roxb) Pers. collected from two mature mother trees preserved in the hill forest of Chittagong district, Bangladesh. The rooting ability of cuttings was studied under 0%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatments. Significantly better rooting response (p ≤ 0.05) was observed with 0.1% IBA compared to control (0% IBA). The mean number of roots and the length of the longest root of cuttings in different treatments showed no significant difference (p≤0.05). After transfer into polythene bags from non-mist propagator, rooted cuttings treated with 0%, 0.1% and 0.2% IBA demonstrated the highest (100 ± 0.00%) survival capacity. The mean number of shoots developed in cuttings in the polythene bags in first three weeks varied significantly (p≤0.05) among the treatments. Effects of three fertilizer treatments, viz. T0 (no fertilizer), T1 (10g Urea, 20g TSP, 10g MOP dissolved in 1 L water) and T2 (10g Urea, 20g TSP, 10g MOP dissolved in 2 L water) on initial growth ofstecklings were also measured over a 90-days period. The increment of leaf area of stecklings was significantly higher (p≤0.05) under T0 compared with that under T1 and T2 while the increment of stem length, collar diameter and root biomass varied insignificantly among different fertilizer treatments. The results suggest that rooting juvenile single-node leafy stem cuttings could be an effective mean of regenerating L. monopetala. The application of 0.1% IBA concentration is recommended for rooting of juvenile leafy stem cuttings and application of fertilizer appeared unnecessary for the subsequent growth of stecklings in polythene bags.     

辣木幼林对氮、磷、钾肥效响应及叶片的生理反应

[目的]研究辣木幼林时期对大量元素的需求状况。[方法]应用"3414"配方施肥试验设计,探讨N、P、K配方施肥对元阳干热河谷辣木幼龄林的生长量、叶片色素含量(叶绿素a、b及类胡萝卜素)和叶片含水率的影响。[结果]肥力补充对辣木幼林的生长具有非常明显的促进效果,其中N肥各施肥配方对幼林的各项生长量指标和生理指标具有显著或极显著的影响,P肥对除地径增量和叶片含水率之外的其它设定指标也表现出显著效果,而K肥各施肥处理仅对冠高增量、冠高比增量和叶片含水率具有显著影响。[结论]综合方差分析、多重比较、极差分析和相关分析结果,显著促进树高、地径、冠幅生长和叶片色素积累的组合均为本试验设计的中高施肥量配比,其中N3P2K3为最优组合。辣木幼龄阶段对大量元素需求非常旺盛,以维持其快速增长的生物量。     

绿竹造林及丰产培育技术研究

１９９６－１９９７年在福建省福安市对绿竹不同立地造林和竹林结构、留母竹株数、打蔸、扒晒、施肥及切鞭等丰产栽培技术进行了试验研究。绿竹造林以山 下部较河滩地和平地效果好。绿竹竹林结构以保留１－２年生竹和切鞭以竹丛产笋量增产效果显著,绿竹施肥以饼肥最佳,其次是施尿素２次和复合肥。４月份扒晒对产笋有增产效果     

交趾黄檀幼林施肥效应分析

开展不同施肥量对交趾黄檀幼树生长影响的试验。结果表明,5年生交趾黄檀胸径、树高、材积、冠幅生长量最大的为处理3(350 g/株),分别为7.12 cm、5.96 m、0.012 8 m³、3.20 m,分别比林分平均胸径6.24 cm、树高5.23 m、材积0.009 2 m³、冠幅3.06 m提高14.1%、13.96%、39.13%、4.58%。应用层次分析法得到综合得分最高的为处理2(250 g/株),表明在合理范围内增加施肥量可加速幼树生长,但交趾黄檀冠幅大,侧枝发达,易受风害,不是施肥量越大越好,应适当控制施肥量。     

Assimilating efficiency of soil nutrition ofPhalaris arundinacea L.

Phalaris arundinacea L. is fine perennial herbage of Gramineae. Eight treatments including N, P, K, NP, NK, NPK, PK and controls were done for studying its absorbing efficiency of soil nutrition. At tillering stage, the coefficient of absorbing and utilizing of N. P, and K from soil and fertilizer were analyzed according to M.K. Kaeomobk’s formula and the contents of crude protein and fat were also measured. The yields of fresh crop, hay and seed were measured at ripening stage. For N absorbing coefficient ofPh. arundinacea from soil (Kn%), the composition PK treatment is best (12.36%) and K treatment is worse, while for N absorbing coefficient from fertilizer (Ky%), all the treatments are higher than control but the composition NPK treatment presented the highest (14.78%). For the absorbing coefficient of P from soil (Kn%), composition NK treatment is highest (19.30%), but K treatment was lower than control, while for that of P from fertilizer (Ky%), all the treatment were higher than control but the composition NP treatment showed the highest (19.52%). As to K absorbing coefficient from soil (Kn^), NP treatment is the best (19.2%) and single P treatment is worst, while for that (Ky%) of K from fertilizer the composition NPK treatment was best (28.44%). As concerns treatments for the outputs of fresh and dry crop, the composition NP treatment was best and all the treatment were higher than control. The composition NK treatment produced highest yield of seed and highest content of crude protein as compared to other treatments For content of crude fat, the compositions NK and N treatments are best. The experiment indicates that application of fertlizer at proper proportions could increase the yield ofPh. Arundinacea and raise the utilizing efficiency of nourishment element from soil and fertilizer. Foundation item: This paper is supported by Educational Committee of Inner Mongolia autonomous Region (No. 950023) Biography: Qi Guang (1960), male, associate professor, presently works in Neimengu Nationalities University, Inner Mongelia P.R. China Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Growth of Nursery-grown Bamboo Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in two Tropical Soil Typeswith and without Fertilizer Application

A nursery experiment was conducted to assess the effect of bioinoculants (Glomus aggregatum, Bacillus polymixa, Azospirillum brasilense) on seedling growth promotion of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees.) in two soil types (alfisol, vertisol) with or without fertilizer application. Bamboo seedlings were grown in the presence or absence of bioinoculants either individually or in all combinations for 180 days in field soil under tropical nursery conditions. Shoot, rhizome and root length, dry masses, nutrient concentrations and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonized root lengths were determined at harvest. Under the experimental condition tested combined inoculation of AM fungi, PSB and A. brasilense resulted in maximum growth response both under fertilized and unfertilized conditions in both soil types. Fertilizer application enhanced the efficiencies of N, P and K uptake, whereas reduced their usage efficiencies. Though soil type did not affect microbial inoculation response, fertilizer application significantly affected plant response to microbial inoculation.     

Effects of organic and mineral fertilizer inputs on maize yield and soil chemical properties in a maize cropping system in Meru South District, Kenya

Soil nutrient depletion as a result of continuous cultivation of soils without adequate addition of external inputs is a major challenge in the highlands of Kenya. An experiment was set up in Meru South District, Kenya in 2000 to investigate the effects of different soil-incorporated organic (manure, Tithonia diversifolia, Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena leucocephala) and mineral fertilizer inputs on maize yield, and soil chemical properties over seven seasons. On average, tithonia treatments (with or without half recommended rate of mineral fertilizer) gave the highest grain yield (5.5 and 5.4 Mg ha⁻¹ respectively) while the control treatment gave the lowest yield (1.5 Mg ha⁻¹). After 2 years of trial implementation, total soil carbon and nitrogen contents were improved with the application of organic residues, and manure in particular improved soil calcium content. Results of the economic analysis indicated that on average across the seven seasons, tithonia with half recommended rate of mineral fertilizer treatment recorded the highest net benefit (USD 787 ha⁻¹) while the control recorded the lowest (USD 272 ha⁻¹). However, returns to labor or benefit-cost ratios were in most cases not significantly improved when organic materials were used.     

Soil nitrate dynamics in relation to nitrogen source and landscape position in Malawi

Nitrogen is normally the nutrient most limiting production of maize (Zea mays) — the main staple food crop — in southern Africa. We conducted a field study to determine the effect of N sources on soil nitrate dynamics at three landscape positions in farmers' fields in southern Malawi. The landscape positions were dambo valley or bottomland, dambo margin, and steep slopes. The N sources were calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer applied at 120 kg N ha^–1, biomass from Sesbania sesban, and no added N. Sesbania biomass was produced in situ in the previous season from sesbania relay cropped with maize. Nitrate in the topsoil (0 to 15 cm depth) increased to 85 days after maize planting (mean = 48 kg N ha^–1) and then decreased markedly. Application of N fertilizer and sesbania biomass increased soil nitrate, and nitrate-N in topsoil correlated positively with amount of incorporated sesbania biomass. The strongest correlation between sesbania biomass added before maize planting and topsoil nitrate was observed at 85 days after maize planting. This suggests that the sesbania biomass (mean N content = 2.3%) mineralized slowly. Inorganic N accumulated in the subsoil at the end of the maize cropping season when N fertilizer and sesbania were applied. This study demonstrated the challenges associated with moderate quality organic N sources produced in smallholder farmer's fields. Soil nitrate levels indicated that N was released by sesbania residues in the first year of incorporation, but relay cropping of sesbania with maize may need to be supplemented with appropriately timed application of N fertilizer.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.