Utilization of15N-urea fertilizer by irrigated wheat in Zambia

A two year field study was conducted to assess the efficiency of urea-N use under various irrigation schedules and fertilizer N placement methods and application times. The field studies were conducted during the cool and dry season (May–October) at the National Irrigation Research Centre, Nanga, Zambia on a typic Haplustalf. Broadcast applications of 150 kg N ha^–1 resulted in higher utilization and efficiency of fertilizer N use compared to placement of fertilizer in a narrow band 2.5 cm to the side of the seeding row. Maximum fertilizer utilization and grain dry matter yields, however, were obtained with split application of urea-N of which the initial portion was broadcast and incorporated prior to sowing or broadcast two weeks after sowing and topdressing was applied at tillering under a weekly irrigation schedule at which irrigation was applied at 70 percent of the total class A pan evaporation during the whole irrigation interval. The percent N derived from fertilizer was independent of fertilizer placement at various water regimes, thus leading to the conclusion that under the experimental, conditions N utilization was primarily a function of water availability.Contribution no R528 of the Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology.     

Nitrogen fixation by soybeans (Glycine max L.) in Zambia

Soybeans (Glycine max L.) are being introduced as a cash crop to small scale farmers in Zambia for rotation in their farming systems. The objectives of this study were to compare and select the most approriate non-fixing reference crop for estimating N₂ fixation by soybeans and assess yields and N₂ fixation of soybeans in Zambia. Nitrogen isotope dilution techniques using¹⁵N-labelled organic or inorganic materials were utilized. Two nonnodulating soybean cultivars, Clark RJ1 and N77 or in their absence Pearl millet (Panicum glaucum L.) were judged to be appropriate reference crops. A local soybean fixing cultivar (Glycine max L. cv. Magoye) rated highest among three cultivars tested for its ability to support symbiotic N₂ fixation byB. japonicum under the experimental conditions. Values of percent N derived from atomosphere for this cultivar were in the order of 65 to 70%.deceased.Contribution no R531 of the Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology. Present address (REK): Esso Chemical Canada, P.O. Box 3010, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada T1J 4A9.