Effects of Mulching and Fire Use for Land Preparation on Soybean Production: A Case Study in RD-Congo.

In much of southern Africa there is widespread deficiency in soil nitrogen. Soybean is nitrogen - fixing plant, but its yield is below 500 kg / ha in most soybean growing areas in DR- Congo. Several cropping systems have been attempted to increase yield production of the main staple food, corn and cassava. Applied research on soybean crop in Africa is sketchy. The aim of this project is to compare the effect of two cropping systems on soybean development and production. These two treatments include use of fire for land preparation and nutrient restitution and mulching with Imperata cylindrica (a common grass in Africa) residues. The research was carried out under on-station and on –farm environment at three locations. Three improved cowpea varieties and one local landrace were selected for this study. The agronomic parameters measured included plant growth, grain yield and pest damage. Overall, mulching increased plant growth and grain yield. Plant damage to insects was much lower under mulching treatment than control and fire use treatment. These experiments will be repeated in community fields at different agroecological sites under farmer management.