scholarly journals Validation of Farmer Perceived Soil Fertility Improving Tree Species in Agropastoral Communities of Bushenyi District

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert. K. Muzoora ◽  
Nelson Turyahabwe ◽  
Jackson G. M. Majaliwa
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Croton Macrostachyus ◽  
Erythrina Abyssinica

In sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, there is declining soil fertility and limited on-farm use of inorganic fertilizers due to poverty and limited subsidies for inorganic fertilizer use. Thus, integration of soil fertility improving tree species (SFITs) in farming systems remains a plausible option to sustaining soil productivity. However, knowledge of the effects of many of the locally growing farmer perceived soil fertility enhancing tree species on to soil chemical and nutrient contents are thus still lacking, and this has constrained decisions on their adoption and scaling up. The objectives of this paper were to identify farmers' preferred soil fertility improving tree species in agropastoral communities of Kyeizooba subcounty Bushenyi district, and characterize their litter content and assess their effect on selected soil chemical properties. Semistructured questionnaires were administered to 333 randomly selected agropastoral farmers. Litter and soils under canopy soils were sampled from three different environments: Under canopy radius (A), canopy edge (B), open pasture land up to thrice the canopy radius (C). Results revealedEucalyptusas the most common tree species on livestock farms, followed byErythrina abyssinica. The highest litter content was recorded forMarkhamia lutea(240 g/cm2under its canopy) followed byCroton macrostachyus(90 g/cm2), and 19 g/cm2Erythrina abyssinica. Nitrogen was higher (P=.02) inErythrina abyssinicalitter, K and carbon inCroton macrostachyuslitter (P=.03). These results give evidence that of soil improversErythrina abyssinica,Croton macrostachyus, andMarkhamia luteamay positively affect soil fertility. Farmers' indigenous knowledge and or valuation of important tree species can be relied on, and thus, their indigenous knowledge need to be incorporated during identification of tree species for promotion in farming systems.

scholarly journals Effect of Continuous Intensive Cultivation on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Oxic Dystrandept Soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
NTANGMO TSAFACK Honorine ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
First Year ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Microbiological Properties

Soil fertility indices are well documented as they are directly related to land use and productivity. However, the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the evolution of soil fertility is still poorly documented. The aim of this study was thus to assess the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the chemical and microbiological properties of Oxic Dystrandept soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Composite soil samples were taken between 0-15 cm depths on farmlands that have been subjected to continuous intensive cultivation for one, five and ten years meanwhile samples from plots that have never been cultivated served as control. The main results revealed that the ammonium contents dropped abruptly (86%-wt) from the first year of cultivation. The organic carbon (OC) content decreased from 1.81 ± 0.14 %-dm (in control) to 1.69 ± 0.09 % after one year, 1.66 ± 0.10 % after 5 years and 1.58 ± 0.07 % after 10 years. Compared to the control, available phosphorus (P) showed a 13 %-wt drop after one year, 46 % after 5 years and 85 % after 10 years. Dehydrogenase activity showed a 42 % decrease after one year, 50 % after five years and 73 % after 10 years. The other parameters were not significantly different (P<0.05) amongst treatments. Decline of soil productivity was undoubtedly related to the decrease of OC, P, microbial activity and ammonium with continuous intensive cultivation. Thus, management strategies for improved crop production should include selection suitable cropping systems and chemical methods. Keywords: Continuous intensive cultivation, enzymatic activities, soil chemical properties, Oxic Dystrandept, Cameroon western highland

Integrated Nutrient Management in the Farming Systems of the Savannas of Northern Nigeria: What Future?

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Nwankwo Chianu ◽  
Hiroshi Tsujii
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Integrated Nutrient Management ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Integrated nutrient management (INM) is being promoted in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors examined INM practices among farmers in the savannas of northern Nigeria in the hope of making suggestions to improve the impact of INM practices on soil fertility. The results indicate that, although the various components of INM are available in the farming systems, only a partial integration is occurring with limited impact on soil fertility. The major constraints include: the harsh savanna environment, lack of supportive institutions and labour, high fertilizer prices and inadequate availability of organic manure. Strip cropping of improved sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and integrated fertility management using neem foliage and half the recommended fertilizer rate have great potential. The study recommends more research, extension and policies to enhance the adoption and impact of INM practices.

scholarly journals Approaches to improve soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 632-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary P Stewart ◽  
Gary M Pierzynski ◽  
B Jan Middendorf ◽  
P V Vara Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Soil fertility provides the foundation for nutritious food production and resilient and sustainable livelihoods. A comprehensive survey and summit meeting were conducted with the aims of understanding barriers to enhancing soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa and providing evidence-based recommendations. The focus regions were West Africa, East Africa, the Great Lakes region, and Ethiopia. Overall recommendations were developed with four emerging themes: (1) strengthening inorganic fertilizer-based systems, (2) access to and use of quality organic inputs, (3) capacity building along the entire knowledge-transfer value chain, and (4) strengthening farming systems research and development across biophysical and socio-economic factors. The evidence-based process and methodology for prioritizing these recommendations makes these findings useful for setting out action plans for future investments and strategies. Access to inorganic fertilizer, its use, and related implementation issues were prominent considerations; nevertheless, biophysical and socio-economic barriers and solutions were identified as equally important to building soil fertility and natural resources. Soil management initiatives should focus on providing holistic solutions covering both biophysical and socio-economic aspects along the entire value chain of actors and creating an enabling environment for adoption. A broader view of soil fertility improvement using all available options including both inorganic and organic sources of nutrients and farming system approaches are highly recommended.

scholarly journals Impact of alley cropping system on soil fertility

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Jannatul Ferdush ◽  
Md. Meftahul Karim ◽  
Iffat Jahan Noor ◽  
Sadia Afrin Sadia Afrin Ju ◽  
Tofayel Ahamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Wheat Production

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of pruned materials of two hedgerow species on wheat production and soil nutrient changes at different nitrogen levels in the research farm of the Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMARU) during November 2012 to March 2013. The design of the experiment was split plot, where two multipurpose tree species (MPTS) namely Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala were arranged in main plots and five different doses of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % of recommended dose) with pruned materials were distributed to sub plots. Alley widths of both tree species were 6.0 meter. There were also control plots where full dose of recommended nitrogen was applied but no pruned material (PM) was incorporated. The soil chemical properties in the alleys consisting of G. sepium and L. leucocephala responded differently. Positive changes in the soil fertility in terms of soil pH, organic C, total N, available P, available S and exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and CEC of the top soil layer were observed in alley cropping system. Pruned materials application substantially reduced the nitrogen requirement for wheat production and 50 % Nitrogen fertilizer could be saved through pruned materials application. Among the tree species G. sepium seemed to be superior over L. leucocephala in building soil health.    

scholarly journals Effects of scattered Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana Tree on Soil Properties under their Canopies in Fedis District, Easte Hararghe Zone, Oromia

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-53
Author(s):  
Musa Abdella ◽  
Lisanework Nigatu
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Faidherbia Albida ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Subsurface Soil ◽  
Scattered Trees ◽  
Cordia Africana ◽  
Soil Fertility Status

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of scattered trees under their canopies on soil fertility status at Fedis district, East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. Accordingly, six isolated and nearly identical Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana trees were selected and the canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Soil samples from three horizontal distances levels: 2.5m, 5m and 25m with two soil depths levels (0–20cm and 20-40cm) were taken for analysis of soil physical and chemical properties and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated six times were employed. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by both tree species. Soil moisture was significantly (p<0.05) higher under canopy of trees than open field and in surface than in subsurface soils. Soil chemical properties;- electric conductivity, organic carbon, organic matter, soil carbon stock, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable cation (Mg, Ca, Na and K) for surface and subsurface soil layers of under F.albida and C. africana trees were  significantly (p<0.05) higher in canopy than open field and in surface than subsurface. Soil pH was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by both tree species. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility beneath its canopy. This may be important for the agricultural landscape health and demonstrated the scattered trees to retain on crop fields to improve soil fertility status under its canopy and on farm biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes conditions.

scholarly journals GRAIN RESOURCES IN UKRAINE: THE CURRENT STATE AND THE PROSPECTS OF USE

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Hanna Pantsyreva
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
The State ◽  
Scientific Article ◽  
Cultivation Technology ◽  
Leguminous Crops

The analysis of literary sources revealed the problems of the development of organic agriculture, the development of environmentally friendly technologies for growing leguminous crops, the expansion of areas of cultivation of high-protein legumes and the study of their impact on soil fertility, improvement of its condition and conservation in general in the face of climate change. Grain legumes, as well as cereals, have been found to be a staple food for most of the world's population, especially in developing countries. In Ukraine, crop data have become strategic and important by overcoming the problem of providing the animal feed to the feed protein. They cover 16% of humanity's need for protein. The reserves of increasing the efficiency of using modern varieties of leguminous crops, aimed at increasing their yield and quality, saving material and technical and energy resources, have been evaluated. It is proved that in this plan it is important to search for selection of scientifically-proven varietal legume cultivation technology for different zones using microbiological fertilizers and growth of stimulating nature allowed for use, in order to preserve soil fertility, improve its physical and chemical properties, and stabilize its granulometric properties. Soil microbiota. The national varieties listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine as a factor of increasing competitive agriculture and adapting them to organic varietal technologies of growing leguminous crops are subject to study. The article identifies the varietal diversity of genetic support for a fundamentally new source material of leading leguminous crops. The problematic of the scientific article has a complex multidisciplinary character in the combination of adaptive farming systems and varietal cultivation technology in view of current trends in climate change. Installation and implementation are based on the problems, as well as the tasks of applied research, which is performed at the expense of the state budget fund on the theme: «Development of methods for improving the technology of growing leguminous crops using biofertilizers, bacterial preparations, extracurricular nutrition and physical nutrition» Vinnytsia National Agrarian University. Key words: legumes, variety, technological methods, cultivation area, use cases.

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