scholarly journals Ecological and Edaphic Drivers of Yam Production in West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Dora Neina
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Terra Preta ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Nutrient Extraction

Yam is an important food and cash crop in West Africa (the yam belt) whose production is traditionally nonsedentary due to its substantial nutrient demand. Population growth, urbanization, and existing soil degradation have made nonsedentary farming virtually impossible. Despite the numerous research invested in yam production within and outside the yam belt, some gaps remain to be filled owing to changing climate events and global developments. Alarmingly, the yam belt is facing sharp yield declines despite increasing production areas. The key edaphic and ecological drivers of yam production in the global yam belt were reviewed. The implications for yam production were discussed along with prospects for future research, sustainable production, and soil management. The main findings are that (1) agroecological zone, postplanting cultural practices, and climate change and variability ecological drivers, while (2) tillage, soil type, texture, and fertility were the edaphic factors. The most critical among the drivers, principally, soil fertility, entails the biological and chemical through which nutrients are released lude, and physical soil fertility which enhances low bulk density, porosity, and water retention for free yam tuber expansion. Soil fertility was the most cited driver, which explains why yam is often the first crop in the cropland cultivation cycle in the yam belt. Data show that yam yields decline with time under native fertility and mineral fertilizer application due to the voracious nutrient extraction by tubers. Conversely, yields increase chronologically under organic fertilizer application due to the additive effects of the latter on soil properties. Thus, a yam fertilizer program to develop specific yam fertilizer formulations and the adoption of the Terra Preta Model are proposed to sustain future yam production.

Soil conditions and yield of repeatedly grown apple orchard depending on long-term fertilizer application

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (98) ◽  
pp. 34-47
Author(s):  
P. H. Kopytko ◽  
◽  
R. V. Yakovenko
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
The Impact

The issue of scientifically sound fertilizer application in fruit plantations, which are long-term and re-grown in one place remains insufficiently studied. To solve this problem is possible only in long-term stationary studies, as the impact of different fertilizer systems on changes in soil properties and tree productivity for a long period of their use. The results of researches of long-term fertilizer influence on the main fertility indices of dark gray podzolic heavy loam soil and productivity of repeatedly grown apple trees of Idared varieties on seed and vegetative (M4) rootstocks and Calville snow on seedling rootstock are considered. During the 85-year period of growing the first and second generation of apple trees in the experimental garden, the organic fertilizer (40 t/ha of cattle manure), mineral fertilizer (N120P120K120) and their combination (20 t/ha of manure + N60P60K60) were applied in the old plantation every two years in autumn in plowing in rows at 18–20 cm, and in the new repetition: manure, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as well, and nitrogen fertilizer in half doses annually in spring for cultivation or disk plowing to a depth of 12–15 cm. As a result of research it was found that organic fertilizer better than mineral fertilizers provided the formation of soil fertility (humus and mobile compounds and forms of nutrients, soil reaction) and yield capacity of experimental apple trees, which for all years of fruiting exceeded the total yield of Calville snow and Idared on seedling and vegetative rootstocks, respectively, by 34.8, 27.7 and 23.4 % compared with the yield of the control non-fertilized areas and 16.0, 15.8 and 13.2 % – on those fertilized with N120Р120К120. Similar parameters of soil fertility indicators are formed by the organo-mineral fertilizer system with systematic long-term application of half the norms of organic and mineral fertilizers of manure 20 t/ha together with N60P60K60. However, the mineral system (N120P120K120) significantly less increases the humus content and content of macronutrients available for plant nutrition and does not enrich the soil with trace elements, acidifies the reaction of the soil environment

scholarly journals Soil fertility management in apple orchard with microbial biofertilizers

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 ◽  
pp. 03020
Author(s):  
Andrei Kuzin ◽  
Alexei Solovchenko ◽  
Ludmila Stepantsova ◽  
Grigory Pugachev
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Azotobacter Chroococcum ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers

Intensification of horticulture in Russia involves planting of new high-density orchards with drip irrigation and fertigation as well as intensification of the exploitation of traditional orchards. This approach involves an increase in mineral fertilizer application imposing the risk of soil fertility loss. For several reasons, the use of traditional organic fertilizers like manure in orchards is currently marginal. Although bacteria-based biofertilizers cannot substitute mineral fertilizers completely, they can significantly reduce the need for mineral fertilizer application. The effect of microbial biofertilizers of the brands “Azotovit” (Azotobacter chroococcum), “Phosphatovit” (Bacillus mucilaginosus), as well as a mixture of bacteria and the fungus, “Organic” (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma harzian) was studied in two field experiments. In the experiment #1, the preparations “Azotovit” and “Phosphatovit” were delivered through a drip irrigation system in various combinations with mineral fertilizers. In experiment #2, the preparation “Organic” was also applied to the soil with irrigation water, also in combination with the mineral fertilizer. When solely applied, none of the studied preparations changed significantly the soil nutrient content and yield as compared with the variant fertilized by the mineral fertilizer at the maximum studied application rate. The combination of the microbial biofertilizer and mineral fertilizers applied at a low rate ensured the yield commensurate to that obtained under high-rate application of the mineral fertilizer.

scholarly journals Low Soil Nutrient Tolerance and Mineral Fertilizer Response in White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Genotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryo Matsumoto ◽  
Haruki Ishikawa ◽  
Asrat Asfaw ◽  
Robert Asiedu
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Tuber Yield ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Guinea Yam

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a major food security crop for millions of resource-poor farmers, particularly in West Africa. Soil mineral deficiency is the main challenge in yam production, especially with the dwindling of fallow lands for the indigenous nutrient supply. Cultivars tolerant to available low soil nutrients and responsive to added nutrient supply are viable components of an integrated soil fertility management strategy for sustainable and productive yam farming systems in West Africa. This study’s objective was to identify white Guinea yam (D. rotundata) genotypes adapted to available low soil nutrients and responsive to externally added nutrient supply. Twenty advanced breeding lines and a local variety (Amula) were evaluated under contrasting soil fertility, low to expose the crop to available low soil nutrient supply and high to assess the crop response to added mineral fertilizer (NPK) input at Ibadan, Nigeria. The genotypes expressed differential yield response to low soil fertility (LF) stress and added fertilizer input. Soil fertility susceptibility index (SFSI) ranged from 0.64 to 1.34 for tuber yield and 0.60 to 1.30 for shoot dry weight. The genotypes R034, R041, R050, R052, R060, R100, and R125 combined lower SFSI with a low rate of reduction in tuber yield were identified as tolerant to LF stress related to the soil mineral deficiency. Likewise, the genotypes R109, R119, and R131 showed high susceptibility to soil fertility level and/or fertilizer response. Genotypes R025 and R034 had the tuber yielding potential twice of that the local variety under low soil nutrient conditions. Shoot dry weight and tuber yield showed a positive correlation both under low and high soil fertility conditions (r = 0.69 and 0.75, respectively), indicating the vigor biomass may be a morphological marker for selecting genotypes of white Guinea yam for higher tuber yield. Our results highlight genotypic variation in the tolerance to low soil nutrients and mineral fertilizer response in white Guinea yam to exploit through breeding and genetic studies to develop improved genotypes for low and high input production systems in West Africa.

scholarly journals Dynamics of soil fertility parameters in the Zaporizhzhya region and the ways of its restoration

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-362
Author(s):  
O. L. Romanenko ◽  
I. S. Kushch ◽  
A. V. Agafonova ◽  
Yu. O. Tenyukh ◽  
M. M. Solodushko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Phosphorus Compounds ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Organic And Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Positive Balance

During 2000–2018, the results of the application of organic and mineral fertilizers in dynamics and their effect on the content of humus and nutrients in the soils of the Zaporizhzhya region were reviewed. To control the state of soil fertility use the calculation of the balance of humus and nutrients. This makes it possible to determine the extent to which the application of nutrients with fertilizers covers their removal by crop yields. Negative tendencies have been identified, which have led to the deterioration of soil fertility in the Zaporizhia region. Measures are proposed to achieve a deficit-free balance of humus and nutrients. On average, in 2000–2018, the level of mineral fertilizer application in the Zaporizhia region remained low – 38 kg/ha (nitrogen – 28 kg, phosphorus – 7, potassium – 3 kg), and manure – only 0.2 t/ha. According to the results of agrochemical certification of agricultural lands, the dynamics of changes in the content of humus, easily hydrolyzed nitrogen, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium over the past 18 years has been determined. The average weighted content of humus in the soils in the VIII round was 3.44 %, IX – 3.52, X – 3.40, XI (2016–2018) – 3.57 %, which indicates the stability of this indicator. The weighted average nitrogen content, which is easily hydrolyzed during all rounds, has close values (83.6–90.3 mg/kg) and corresponds to a low level of its supply. The content of mobile phosphorus compounds during the VIII – IX rounds was quite stable (97.1–101.6 mg/kg), and in the X–XI rounds there was even an increase to 123.3–123.4 mg/kg. The phosphorus regime of soils is stable and corresponds to the increased level of security, except for the ninth round (average). Potassium regime of the soil for eighteen years also remains stable and refers to a high level of security (159.6–176.8 mg/kg). The balance of humus and nutrients in the soils of the region remains negative. There is a tendency of positive changes if we compare the results for the first (2003–2014) and second (2003–2018) periods. Thus, to achieve a positive balance of humus it is necessary to apply 2 t/ha of straw (+400 kg/ha), 20 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizers and 6.4 t/ha of manure, and in 2003–2018 – respectively 2 t / ha straw (+400 kg/ha), 20 kg/ha of nitrogen, 5.8 t/ha of manure. Key words: soil, balance, dynamics, humus, fertility, organic and mineral fertilizers.

scholarly journals Effect of Combined Fertilization on Plant Biomass of Waste Land and Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation in Grassland Mining Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 03057
Author(s):  
Dan Shan ◽  
Jingli He ◽  
Hao Rong ◽  
Tiegang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Dump Site ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate

The dump site formed by the large-scale open-pit coal mining waste piles has poor soil environment and difficult vegetation restoration, and is in the grassland area with relatively weak ecological environment. A completely randomized block design was used to conduct separate application of microbial fertilizer and the combined application of microbial fertilizer and organic fertilizer in this study. The results showed that “Sino Green Agri-Biotech” soil conditioner combined with organic fertilizer had a higher plant biomass by comparing different fertilization methods, the plant biomass increased with the increase of microbial fertilizer application. The RSR (Rank Sum Ratio) method was used to analyze the comprehensive benefits of different fertilization methods from the aspects of microbial community diversity, soil enzyme activity, soil fertility, vegetation growth status and economic benefits. Evaluation results showed that application of microbial fertilizer had an important role in increasing soil fertility and accelerating vegetation construction the combined benefit of E-2001 microbial fertilizer application rate of 0.60 ml/m2 and organic fertilizer was the highest, priority can be given to the process of ecological restoration on coal mine dump in grassland. It is preferred to use a combination of E-2001 microbial fertilizer application rate of 0.60 ml/m2 and organic fertilizer in the soil improvement process of vegetation restoration and reconstruction in the grassland mining area.

The impact of lime and organic fertilization on the growth of wild-simulated American ginseng

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Nadeau ◽  
R. R. Simard ◽  
A. Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
American Ginseng ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
The Impact

A 5-yr experiment was undertaken in a red maple forest to evaluate the effects of lime and organic fertilizer application on the growth parameters of wild-simulated American ginseng growing on a very acidi c soil. The application of lime had a positive impact on ginseng emergence and survival rate; it also significantly increased soil Ca, as compared to no application (control). During the last years of the experiment, adding lime also increased leaf area, a s well as shoot and root mass of ginseng. Adding lime and organic fertilizer together positively affected ginseng survival rate and root mass, as compared to adding lime alone. These results indicate that liming can improve the growth and survival of Amer ican ginseng during the first 5 yr of its development in this very acidic maple forest soil. The improvement could be due, at least partly, to increased Ca content in the soil. Addition of organic fertilizer would be beneficial as long as sufficient Ca2+is provided to alleviate the Al toxicity of this soil. Thus, using such cultural practices, wild-cultivation of American ginseng, even in red maple forests, could constitute a valuable alternative to field-cultivation. Key words:

scholarly journals Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1139
Author(s):  
Firmin N. Anago ◽  
Emile C. Agbangba ◽  
Brice T. C. Oussou ◽  
Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin ◽  
Lucien G. Amadji
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Southern Benin

Feeding the world in 2050 requires us to find ways to boost yields of the main local crops. Among those crops, cowpea is one of the grain legumes that is playing an important role in the livelihood of millions of people in West Africa, especially in Benin. Unfortunately, cowpea on-farm yields are very low. In order to understand the main factors explaining cowpea yield gaps, we collected and analyzed detailed survey data from 298 cowpea fields in Benin during the 2017, 2018 and 2019′s rainy seasons, respectively. Composite soil samples were collected from cowpea fields and analyzed in the laboratory. Data on farm field management practices and field conditions were recorded through interviews with 606 farmers. Average cowpea grain yields were low and seldom surpassed 700 kg ha−1 on farmer’s fields. Significant differences were observed between cowpea grain yields from northern to southern Benin (p < 0.05), and the lowest yields were observed in northern Benin. These low yields are related to crop management practices, soil nutrient contents, and the interaction of both. According to the model of regression tree from northern to southern Benin, the use of mineral fertilizer, insecticide sprays to control pests, and the improvement of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (P, N, K) and cation sum content in the topsoil would increase cowpea grain yields. Insect pests, diseases, and soil fertility decline are the largest constraints limiting grain yield in Benin. Future research should focus on formulating site-specific fertilizer recommendations for effective cowpea cultivation in Benin, as well as the control of insect pests and diseases.

scholarly journals Effects of Cultivating Rice and Wheat with and without Organic Fertilizer Application on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Quality in Khost, Afghanistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6508
Author(s):  
Rahmatullah Hashimi ◽  
Eri Matsuura ◽  
Masakazu Komatsuzaki
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Ghg Emission

The agricultural sector is the most important economic component in Afghanistan, as 80% of the population is involved. The improvement of cereal production is an urgent task to meet the nation’s demand for the staple within the limited arable land. To promote a sustainable crop production system, this study examined the soil quality to learn the basic knowledge of soil fertility and the environmental impact of different rice–wheat cropping systems in Khost, Afghanistan by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The economic analysis of each farming system was conducted by the data gathered by the farmers’ interviews along with LCA data collection. The analysis considered the on-farm activities, which were required to produce 1 kg of wheat and rice. It included energy use, production, and farming inputs such as fertilizer and agrochemicals. Conventional farming with organic fertilizer application (CF+OF) was compared with conventional farming (CF). The LCA results showed the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was higher in rice production compared to wheat production. However, CO2 absorption by the crops was far greater than the total GHG emission in both systems and showed great potential for soil carbon sequestration for mitigation of global warming. The soil examination revealed the CF+OF system increased soil total carbon (TC), active C (AC), total N (TN), soil organic carbon storage (SCS), P, and K+ after four years of organic fertilizer application. The yield of each crop was slightly higher in the CF system; however, the CF+OF system increased net income by reducing the cost for fertilizer. The study concluded the CF+OF system can improve soil fertility in the long term while saving the farming operation cost. Further research is required to determine the best combination of practices to improve cattle manure characteristics and farm management for soil carbon sequestration to promote a sustainable farming system in the country.

Material Properties in Advances in Organic Fertilizer

2015 ◽  
Vol 730 ◽  
pp. 235-240
Author(s):  
Zhi Qiang Yu ◽  
Fei Peng Ren
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Crop Resistance ◽  
Yield Quality ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Organic fertilizer is an important material to improve soil physical and chemical properties , to improve soil fertility , crop yield and quality and enhancing crop resistance has a very important role . In recent years, the proportion of organic fertilizer for the Chinese fertilizer gradually decreased reality introduces the connotation and type of organic fertilizer , discusses the following issues: (1) organic fertilizer on soil fertility , including soil nutrients ( nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, trace elements) , soil organic matter and structure , soil enzyme activity ; (2) the role of organic fertilizer to improve crop yield, quality and disease resistance . At the same time , pointed out the remaining organic fertilizer application in question , and the future development were discussed .

scholarly journals Simulation of Granular Organic Fertilizer Application by Centrifugal Spreader

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Raimonda Zinkevičienė ◽  
Eglė Jotautienė ◽  
Antanas Juostas ◽  
Antonio Comparetti ◽  
Edvardas Vaiciukevičius
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Distinct Element ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Initial Speed ◽  
Mechanical Parameters ◽  
Specialized Equipment ◽  
Research Show

There is no specialized equipment designed to spread granular cylindrical organic fertilizer in the soil. There are also no rational recommendations available on how to spread this type of fertilizer. Mineral fertilizer spreaders are most often used for spreading granulated organic fertilizer. However, these fertilizers are significantly different from mineral fertilizers. Due to these differences, organic granular fertilizers often are spread unevenly, and the fertilizer does not reach the required working width. Furthermore, the rate of spreading is not accurate, and the fertilizer is often crushed too much. The objective of this research is to develop a simulation model for granular organic fertilizer applications with a centrifugal spreader in EDEM (extended distinct element method) software. It is possible to develop a numerical model that corresponds to a real spreader, and to determine the key physical–mechanical parameters for the application of granular organic fertilizer. This model can also be used for evaluating the transverse uniformity of the fertilizer in the field (along the trajectory normal to the machine). The results of this research show that the distance traveled by the fertilizer granules partially depends on the particle size, initial speed, type of fertilizer and the parameters of the spinning discs of the spreader.

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