Sustainable intensification of management practices in cassava production systems of Luapula province of Zambia.
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Date
2022
Authors
Kaluba, Peter Kasolota
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food and a main source of income for several
smallholder farmers. However, its yields are low at about 6 t/ha, lower than actual yields of
20–25 t/ha in Zambia. The main objective of the study was to assess sustainable
management practices in cassava production systems among smallholder farmers in Luapula
Province of Zambia. A baseline study aimed at understanding cropping management
practices and their effects on selected soil nutrient adequacy levels and tuber yield was
carried out. Using baseline results, a field experiment was conducted aimed at assessing the
performance of cassava under lime, fertilizer and grain legume intercropping on exhausted
soils. Common bean being the most intercropped légumes in cassava systems with low grain
yields at 0.5 t/ha partly due to leafy defoliation, an, assessesment of the effects of leaf
defoliation intensity and fertilizer on growth, RUE and yield of three common bean varieties
was conducted. The data generated from these experiment was analyzed using the linear
mixed models at 5% levels of significance using the R software. Multiple regression
analyses was performed on significantly correlated variables. The study found K and P to be
highly suitable for optimal cassava production, although yields declined by 209 and 622
kg/ha at 12 and 36 for each year of cultivation without fertilizer application. Field use in the
study area was limited to 8–9 years due to soil nutrient depletion. The synergistic effect of
exchangeable K on growth was limited by the low to moderate availability of soil organic
carbon (SOC), Ca, Mg and low N. These limited the growth and consequently reduced
intercepted radiation and low yields, thus the need for routine balanced fertilizer regimes. On
average, for every kg of cassava yield loss in intercropping was compensated by 0.46 kg
soybean, 0.20 kg common beans and 0.26 kg of cowpea. Cassava LAI, RUE, tuber yield and
grain legume yields were significantly increased by liming, fertilizing and legume species
intercropping. The use of amendements achieved cassava yields obtained between 24–36
MAP under shifting cultivation at 12 MAP. The RUE reductions were higher in fertilized
than unfertilized treatments. Fertilizing indeterminant growth habit common beans enhanced
growth, producing optimal grain and biomass yield at 25% defoliation intensity. To promote
adoption, liming, fertilizing and legume intercropping at 25% defoliation intensity in cassava
production systems should be conducted on exhausted soils in farmer‘s field
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Cassava production--Management practices. , Cassava production practices.