Nitrogen Transfer from Pigeon Pea [Cajanus Cajan (L.) Misllp.] to Maize (Zea mays L.) In a Pigeon Pea /Maize Intercrop
Olujobi O. J., Oyun M. B.

Abstract
In any land use system involving association of tree legume and non-legume cereal crops, it is important to know the quantity of fixed N transferred, and the possible time in which the transfer take place. Complete mixed root (CMR) method in a pot experiment was used to investigate the mechanism of N transferred in a pigeon pea/maize intercrop. The experiment was conducted during two rainy seasons. Results of the study showed that the quantity of N transferred by pigeon pea to maize through below-ground interaction progressively increases up to tasselling stage in both experimental trials with N concentration range of 0.31% to 0.60%, while N released through litter returns decreases from 1.05% to -0.12% in the first trial and 0.99% to -0.12% in the second trial during the growth cycle. The study also revealed that the period of release of N from pigeon pea through above-ground process occur at the early stage of growth (4 and 6WAP), while N transfer through below-ground process occur throughout the maize growth cycle. Generally, the results obtained in the study have proved that tree legumes can transfer considerable quantity of N within a short period in the growth cycle of companion annual crop.

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