Farmer-Researcher Collaboration in Developing Cropping Practices that Involve the Complementary Use of Mechanical Tied Ridge and Fertilizer Technology for Sorghum in Burkina Faso

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Nagy ◽  
H. W. Ohm ◽  
S. Sawadogo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farmer Participation ◽  
Cropping Practices ◽  
Farmer Surveys ◽  
Fertilizer Technology

SUMMARYSpecific soil fertility and water retention constraints limit increased crop production in the subsistence-oriented farming systems of Burkina Faso. Previous attempts to introduce apparently promising technologies based on research that had not directly involved the fanner and that had not benefited from farmer-feedback have been largely unsuccessful. Active farmer involvement can help to identify relevant constraints to production and to identify and modify technologies to make them viable. Formal and informal farmer surveys and farmer participation in field experiments have led to the development of potentially useful cropping practices involving the complementary use of mechanical tied ridge and fertilizer-based technology.

scholarly journals Bacterivorous nematodes correlate with soil fertility and improved crop production in an organic minimum tillage system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Hallmann ◽  
Maria R. Finckh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Organic Farming Systems

AbstractOrganic farming systems are generally based on intensive soil tillage for seed bed preparation and weed control, which in the long-term often leads to reduced soil fertility. To avoid this, organic farming systems need to adopt conservation agriculture practices, such as minimum tillage and diligent crop rotations. However, minimum tillage generally delays soil warming in spring causing reduced nitrogen mineralization and thus poor plant growth. This negative effect needs to be compensated. We hypothesize that, in a diverse crop rotation, organic minimum tillage based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch will improve soil fertility and thus crop production as confirmed by a number of chemical and biological soil indicators.We made use of two long-term field experiments that compare typical organic plough-based systems (25 cm) with minimum tillage systems (<15 cm) including application of transfer mulch to potatoes. Both tillage systems were either fertilized with compost or equivalent amounts of mineral potassium and phosphate. In 2019, soil samples from both fields were collected and analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro-, micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions.Results from the field experiments showed an increase of macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) in minimum tillage compared with the plough-based system. In the accompanying greenhouse bioassay, pea biomass was 45% higher under minimum than under plough tillage. In conclusion, the study showed that under organic conditions, soil fertility can be improved in minimum tillage systems by intensive cover cropping and application of dead mulch to levels higher than in a plough-based system. Furthermore, the abundance of bacterivorous nematodes can be used as a reliable indicator for the soil fertility status.

scholarly journals Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6730
Author(s):  
Jan H. Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Hallmann ◽  
Maria R. Finckh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Tillage System

Reduced nutrient mineralization rates under minimum tillage are usually compensated by mineral fertilizer application. These, however, cannot be applied in organic farming systems. We hypothesized that an organic minimum tillage system based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch would improve soil fertility and compensate for the potential negative effects of minimum tillage. Two long-term field experiments were set up in 2010 and 2011 to compare plowing versus minimum tillage including the application of transferred mulch. A second factor, the application of compost versus mineral potassium and phosphorus, was also compared. In 2019, soils were analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro- and micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity, and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions. Across both experiments, macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) increased in minimum tillage compared to the plow-based system. In the greenhouse, pea biomass was 45% higher in the soil that had been subjected to minimum tillage compared to the plow. In conclusion, soil fertility can be improved in organic minimum tillage systems, which include intensive cover cropping and the application of dead mulch, over plow-based systems.

scholarly journals Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Schmidt ◽  
Johannes Hallmann ◽  
Maria R. Finckh
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cover Cropping

Reduced nutrient mineralization rates under minimum tillage are usually compensated by mineral fertilizer application. These cannot be applied in organic farming systems, however. We hypothesized that organic minimum tillage based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch will improve soil fertility and can compensate for the potential negative effects of minimum tillage. Two long-term field experiments were set up in 2010 and 2011 comparing plough versus minimum tillage including application of transferred mulch. As second factor, the application of compost versus mineral potassium and phosphorus was compared. In 2019, soils were analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro-, micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions. Across both experiments, macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) increased in minimum tillage compared with the plough-based system. In the greenhouse, pea biomass was 45% higher in the soil that had been subjected to minimum tillage compared to the plough. In conclusion, soil fertility can be improved in organic minimum tillage systems by intensive cover cropping and application of dead mulch to levels higher than in a plough-based system.

Identifying potential approaches to improve the reliability of terminating a lucerne pasture before cropping: a review

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Davies ◽  
M. B. Peoples
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Mixed Cropping ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Farmer Surveys ◽  
Storage Reserves

In the mixed cropping regions of Australia, the perennial fodder legume lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is being utilised to improve the sustainability of farming systems through improving soil fertility and reducing groundwater recharge. However, the full rotational benefits of lucerne cannot be realised without a reliable approach to terminate the lucerne phase before cropping. Farmer surveys have identified difficulties in successfully removing lucerne before cropping as a significant problem with lucerne-based phase-farming systems. In 1 survey up to 40% of the respondents were not satisfied with the level of lucerne control they were achieving, while in another survey 49% indicated that lucerne removal issues were a constraint to further adoption of lucerne on their farms. Most growers used herbicides to kill lucerne, usually in conjunction with cultivation or grazing. Respondents estimated that herbicides were capable of killing 80% of the lucerne, but most regarded this level of control unsatisfactory. Lucerne removal using herbicides is ineffective when lucerne is able to regenerate from buds in the crown that have not received a lethal herbicide dose. Systemic herbicides such as glyphosate and the auxinic herbicides are predominantly translocated to those parts of the plant with a high demand for photosynthate, often the apical meristems. Hence, effective control of lucerne can only be achieved through targeted application of systemic herbicides to lucerne plants that are actively translocating photosynthate to the crown and taproots. Evidence presented in this review suggests that this is most likely to occur when the storage reserves in the crown and taproot are being replenished several weeks after defoliation. The importance of timing of removal and the potential for intercropping are also discussed.

Managing pluvial resources and improving soil hydrology: Survival questions for cotton farming systems. The case study of the Mouhoun (Burkina Faso)

Biologia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Hauchart
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Changes ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Hydrological Processes ◽  
Erosion Processes

AbstractCotton cropping has been developing for more than 40 years in the western part of Burkina Faso. It has made a definite modernization of the traditional farming system. Modernization is illustrated by adoption of specific agricultural practices like monoculture, tillage, straight sowing and slope ridge planting. Misuse and non-adaptable local pedologic and climatic context of these new practices perturb soil hydrological processes. Outcomes are water loss by runoff, erosion and changes in the soils physical and physiochemical properties.Besides, we can notice in this area for more than 30 years climatic changes which require us to ask ourselves what are the resulting consequences. In fact, these climatic changes generate an extension of the rainy season, an increase in the frequency of high intensity spells but also recurrence of dry spells during the rainy season. Do these new climatic conditions exacerbate the consequences of cotton practices on hydrological processes and induce an aggravation of flow and erosion processes?These evolutions have direct consequences on crop production whereas needs are highly increasing. The improvement of the prevailing agricultural practices and innovative practices might provide improved pluvial resources in critical moments such as rainfall excess at the beginning and the end of the rainy season and short drought conditions after sowing or germination and during flowering. However two questions arise. In the rainfed agriculture, which cultural practices (to reduce runoff and to favour infiltration) are, in regard to pedologic, climatic or socio-economic context, able to allow improved water efficiency and, as a result, an increase of the food grains production? Might selected practices and production addition satisfy requirements of the coming population?

Pasture cropping: a new approach to integrate crop and livestock farming systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 777 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Millar ◽  
W. B. Badgery
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
No Till

Pasture cropping is a farmer-initiated concept of sowing a winter active cereal into a summer-active native perennial pasture. Proponents claim that by using pasture cropping they are able to maintain or improve the perennial pasture. Research was carried out on a Bothriochloa macra dominant pasture at Wellington, in the central western slopes of New South Wales, to compare pasture cropping to conventional no-till cropping and pasture only systems under different fertiliser rates and rotations. Key variables for the comparison included forage and crop production, pasture perenniality and ground cover, soil fertility and water use, and profitability. Our results show that pasture cropping can successfully retain perennial grasses and ground cover while still producing profitable cropping and grazing compared with continuous pasture. Crop yields from pasture cropping were less than 65% of those for conventional no-till cropping, which led to conventional no-till cropping having the greatest, but also most volatile, gross margin throughout the experiment. However, the lower input costs associated with pasture cropping reduced the effects of crop failure on farm profit. While soil moisture differences did not occur between treatments during the experiment, soil fertility, especially N, played a major role in determining crop yield. The role of pasture cropping in farming systems is discussed.

scholarly journals Farmer Perception and Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change in Lower Eastern Kenya: A Case of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Madegwa Yvonne ◽  
Onwonga Richard ◽  
Shibairo Solomon ◽  
Karuku George
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Finger Millet ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Random Number Generator ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Smallholder Farming

Eastern Kenya, a semi-arid region, is characterized by low and erratic rainfall, high temperatures, and low soil fertility. Climate change has further worsened the situation leading to frequent droughts and hence increased food insecurity. Traditional crops like finger millet are possible solutions to combating changing climate due to their drought resistance nature, ability to produce high yields with little inputs and high nutritional content. It is against this backdrop that a survey was carried out in Mwala and Katangi divisions of Machakos and Kitui counties, respectively, to assess farmer’s perception on climate change, coping and adaptation mechanisms in finger millet production systems in smallholder farming systems of lower eastern Kenya. Data was collected, using semi-structured questionnaire, from 120 farmers i.e. 60 in each division. A stratified random sampling procedure, with location as a stratum was used to select respondent’s households. A computer random number generator was used to select number of households in each stratum. Maize and beans were the most popular crops grown by over 98% of the farmers in both sub-counties. Farmers also grew drought tolerant legumes; cow peas, green grams pigeon peas and cereals; sorghum and finger millet. Temperature rise was ranked highest with 88% and 98%, followed by prolonged drought with 70% and 72%, irregular rainfall at 69% and 81% and increased wind intensity at 22% and 28% at Machakos and Kitui, respectively, as aspects of climate change perceived by farmers. Farmers had taken up early planting at 88.6% and 93.7%, use of organic inputs at 89% and 92%, introduced new tillage practices, by applying ridges and furrows and tied ridges at 45% and 54%, and by adopting irrigation at 13%, and 9%, as coping strategies to climate change in Machakos and Kitui, respectively.It can be concluded that farmers in Machakos and Kitui are aware of climate change and its negative effects on crop production. In a bid to minimize crop loss and food insecurity, they have taken up various soil moisture conservation and soil fertility enhancement technologies.

scholarly journals Upscaling Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Related Agroecosystems Services in Smallholder Farming Systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie Bonareri Oruru ◽  
Ezekiel Mugendi Njeru
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Mycorrhizal Symbiosis ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Smallholder Farming Systems

Smallholder farming systems form unique ecosystems that can protect beneficial soil biota and form an important source of useful genetic resources. They are characterized by high level of agricultural diversity mainly focused on meeting farmers’ needs. Unfortunately, these systems often experience poor crop production mainly associated with poor planning and resource scarcity. Soil fertility is among the primary challenges faced by smallholder farmers, which necessitate the need to come up with affordable and innovative ways of replenishing soils. One such way is the use of microbial symbionts such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a beneficial group of soil microbiota that form symbiotic associations with majority of cultivated crops and play a vital role in biological soil fertility, plant nutrition, and protection. AMF can be incorporated in smallholder farming systems to help better exploit chemical fertilizers inputs which are often unaffordable to many smallholder farmers. The present review highlights smallholder farming practices that could be innovatively redesigned to increase AMF symbiosis and related agroecosystem services. Indeed, the future of global food security depends on the success of smallholder farming systems, whose crop productivity depends on the services provided by well-functioning ecosystems, including soil fertility.

scholarly journals Utilisation of Sludge from Ditches to Maintain Soil Nutrients and Increase Rice Yield in Rice-Shrimp Systems in Vietnam

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Minh ◽  
Chau ◽  
Nguyen ◽  
Tran ◽  
Condon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Shrimp Farming ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Fertilizer Value ◽  
Rice Yields

An integration of a shrimp production cycle into the traditional system of rice farming is an adopted practice by farmers due to saline intrusion and changes of environmental condition in Vietnam. Aquacultural pond sludge or biological waste has the potential to cause environmental pollution if it is not managed well. However, the sludge from shrimp ponds in rice-shrimp farming systems can provide nutrition and maintain soil fertility for the integrated rice crop production. A randomized block field experiment was conducted on a rice-shrimp farm to test the fertilizer value of sludge for rice over two consecutive seasons in Vietnam. Five treatments of sludge and fertilizer rates were applied in field experiments including control, sludge application alone, recommended fertilizer rate, reduced fertilizer rate, and combination of sludge and reduced fertilizer rate. The results consistently proved that the pond sludge can provide large quantities of plant available nutrients such as ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen and organic matter. The use of sludge either alone or in combination with the reduced fertilizer rate produced optimal rice yields while fertilizer cost of rice production was reduced. This finding indicates that the use of sludge is able to save cost of production to rice-shrimp farmers and reduce adverse impacts of pond sludge released on the surrounding environment.

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