Effects of grain-producing cover crops on rice grain yield in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

<div><p>ABSTRACT Besides providing benefits to the environment such as soil protection, release of nutrients, soil moisture maintenance, and weed control, cover crops can increase food production for grain production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of biomass and grain cover crops (and its respective effects on soil chemical and physical attributes), yield components, and grain yield of rice in Mozambique. The study was conducted in two sites located in the province of Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique. The experimental design was a randomized block in a 2 × 6 factorial, with four repetitions. Treatments were carried out in two locations (Cuaia and Nambaua) with six cover crops: Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.); namarra bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), velvet beans (Mucuna pruriens L.), oloco beans (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and fallow. Cover crops provided similar changes in chemical and physical properties of the soil. Lablab purpureus, Vigna unguiculata, and Mucuna pruriens produced the highest dry matter biomass. Vigna unguiculada produced the highest amount of grains. Rice grain yields were similar under all cover crops and higher in Cuaia than Nambaua.</p></div

Application of lime, phosphogypsum and fertilization rates affect soil fertility and common bean development in no-tillage system in a Cerrado Oxisol

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT. There is a lack of information about the effects of interactions among lime, phosphogypsum (PG) and fertilization on soil fertility and their effects on common bean yields in the tropics. This study aimed to determine the effects of annual application of PG and limestone and rates of fertilization on the chemical attributes of soil, fertilization efficiency, yield components and the grain yield of the common bean. The study was performed for three growing seasons in an acidic Oxisol. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 4x4 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of lime, lime + PG, PG, and control (without corrective application) with four fertilization rates. In an acidic and low-fertility Cerrado soil, limestone or limestone + PG applied annually at 1/3 of the total rate in a no tillage system increased the common bean yield and the efficiency of the fertilization, although the improvement of the soil acidity indicators did not reach the desired levels. The application of soluble fertilizers to provide adequate and balanced amounts of nutrients provided greater yield gains and improved soil fertility compared to surface liming without fertilization, but the combination of the two practices resulted in the greatest benefits to both plant and soil fertility.</p><p></p

Common bean grain yield as affected by sulfur fertilization and cultivars

<div><p>ABSTRACT A better understanding of the differential growth of common bean cultivars with increasing soil sulfur (S) availability can indicate how to improve common bean grain yield in soils of Savannas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of sprinkler-irrigated common bean cultivars to sulfur fertilization in a no-tillage system. The experiment was designed as a randomized block in a split-plot scheme with sulfur rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha-1) as main plots and common bean cultivars (BRS Requinte, BRS Cometa, Diamante Negro, BRS Grafite, BRS Valente, and Corrente) as subplots, with three replications. Common bean cultivars did not differ regarding grain yield response to sulfur rates, which fitted to a quadratic equation. Among the cultivars tested, only BRS Requinte and BRS Valente differed in grain yield for S fertilization, the first being more productive. Moreover, S fertilization allows significant increases in common bean grain yield in average of six cultivars and must be considered in cropping systems aiming for high yields.</p></div

The effect of longitudinal distribution and seed depth on grain yield of common bean

<div><p>Abstract: The aim of this study was to quantify the longitudinal distribution of plants in the row and seed depth and their effects on hypocotyl length and diameter and on yield components and grain yield of common bean, specifically the cultivar BRSMG Realce in a Latossolo soil in the Cerrado (Brazilian tropical savanna). The data on plant distances in the row were obtained in the field with the aid of a measuring tape in four rows of 2.5 m length. Seed depth was determined by measuring the length of the hypocotyl that was within the soil after pulling up the plant. Hypocotyl diameter was evaluated at ground level using a digital caliper. Descriptive (univariate) statistical analysis was applied to the data. Linear correlations were established among distribution of distance between plants in the row, the depth of sowing, the characteristics of the hypocotyls, and grain yield data of common bean. Negative linear regression was observed between grain yield with sowing depth, and positive linear regression between hypocotyl diameter and longitudinal spacing between plants in the row. In the sowing process, special attention should be given to seed distribution in the row to avoid subsequent uneven plant distribution and to seed depth to avoid yield loss.</p></div

Sowing time affecting the development of common bean cultivars in Lichinga, Province of Niassa, Mozambique

<div><p>ABSTRACT The demonstration of yield potential of crops depends on genetic factors, favorable conditions of envi ronment, and management. The sowing time can significantly affect the common bean grain yield. The aim of this research was to study the behavior of Brazilian cultivars and sowing times on the yield components and grain yield of common bean grown in the environmental conditions of Lichinga, Province of Niassa, Mozambique. The field trial was performed for two growing seasons, using the experimental as a randomized block in factorial 5 × 3 × 2, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of five common bean cultivars (BRS Pontal, BRS Agreste, Perola, and BRS Requinte, developed by Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), and a local variety, Encarnada) with three sowing dates (beginning of the rainy season, and 15 and 30 days after), during two growing seasons. The Brazilian cultivar of common beans BRS Pontal was the most productive in all sowing times, followed by BRS Agreste, which was not the most productive only in the second sowing time of 2013/2014 growing season. The cultivar Encarnada, from Mozambique, was the less productive cultivar in all sowing times and in all growing seasons. The best sowing time for common bean cultivars is in the beginning of the rainy season. The use of technologies such as use of seeds of new cultivars, proper sowing time, fertilization, and control of weeds allow significant increase of common bean grain yield in Lichinga, Mozambique.</p></div