scholarly journals Farmers' knowledge and management of spatial soil and crop growth variability in Niger, West Africa

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P.A. Lamers ◽  
P.R. Feil
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Crop Growth Variability

A household survey conducted in the Sahel, combined with an extensive literature search of baseline studies, complemented on-station research on spatial soil and crop growth variability from a farmers viewpoint. Farmers explained spatial variability in crop growth in terms of differences in soil types, soil fertility and degradation, as well as their cultivation and management practices. Farmers counteract spatial crop growth variability by within-field fallow; kraaling; spot applications of manure, crop residues and household waste; by intentionally moving their settlements; and by exploiting the micro-environmental differences around specific tree and shrub species. However, these strategies also enforce the spatial crop growth variability. The accuracy of farmers' comprehensive knowledge of agriculture, soil, animal husbandry and agro-forestry was confirmed by compartmentalized on-farm and on-station studies conducted in the same region, although explanations of farmers and researchers were not always the same. Farmers are aware of soil fertility management technologies, either coming from outside or developed within the farming community, but are often unable to translate these into action on a large scale. This is due to insufficient resources and socioeconomic, as well as institutional, constraints such as cattle ownership, land tenure, labour requirements and prices of inputs. Implications for agricultural research and technology generation are discussed.

scholarly journals Etiology of crop growth variability in groundnut in Niger

1993 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
P. Subrahmanyam ◽  
B. J. Ndunguru ◽  
S. B. Sharma ◽  
K. L. Sahrawat ◽  
D. C. Greenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Growth ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Crop Growth Variability

Soil fertility effects on carbon fluxes under two spring wheat rotations in a semiarid agroecosystem

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Curtin ◽  
H. Wang ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Fertility Treatments

Changes in soil C storage due to management practices are important in relation to soil quality and to the broader issue of atmospheric C sequestration. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of soil fertility management on C fluxes under two spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotations in semiarid southwestern Saskatchewan, i.e., continuous wheat (Cont W) and a rotation that included summerfallow every third year (F-W-W). Continuous wheat was grown under two fertility regimes since initiation of the experiment in 1967, i.e., fertilization with N+P (no nutrient limitation) or with P only. In F-W-W there were three fertility treatments: N+ P, N only, and P only. We measured soil CO2 emissions under all fertility treatments and rotation phases during the 1995 and 1996 cropping seasons (emissions were measured at about weekly intervals between spring and freeze-up in autumn). Inputs of C in straw were measured and a root:straw ratio of 0.59 was used to estimate root C inputs. Alleviation of nutrient limitations generally had a positive effect on wheat growth (and thus on C inputs), particularly in 1995, the wetter of the 2 yr (precipitation 14% greater than average). For example, C inputs in 1995 under Cont W were estimated at 2700 kg ha-1 in the N+P treatment compared with 1500 kg ha-1 in the P only treatment. Fertility treatments had little effect on CO2 emissions; e.g., for Cont W the mean flux for the 1995 monitoring period was 2.7 mmol CO2 m-2s-1 where N + P was applied and 2.6 mmol CO2 m-2s-1 where P only was applied. Greater C inputs, but similar outputs of CO2-C for the N + P treatment vs. the systems receiving N or P only, suggest that proper fertilization resulted in a gain in soil C. However, quantifying the fertility-induced C gain is problematic because of uncertainty regarding effects of fertility on several components of the C budget, particularly root-C inputs and the contribution of rhizosphere respiration to the measured CO2 flux. Key words: Carbon sequestration, N and P fertilization, CO2 emissions, C inputs in crop residues, spring wheat, summerfallow

scholarly journals Mulching with pruned fronds promotes the internal soil N cycling and soil fertility in a large-scale oil palm plantation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Formaglio ◽  
Edzo Veldkamp ◽  
Muhammad Damris ◽  
Aiyen Tjoa ◽  
Marife D. Corre
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C

AbstractIntensive management practices in large-scale oil palm plantations can slow down nutrient cycling and alter other soil functions. Thus, there is a need to reduce management intensity without sacrificing productivity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of management practices on gross rates of soil N cycling and soil fertility. In Jambi province, Indonesia, we established a management experiment in a large-scale oil palm plantation to compare conventional practices (i.e. high fertilization rates and herbicide weeding) with reduced management intensity (i.e. reduced fertilization rates and mechanical weeding). Also, we compared the typical management zones characterizing large-scale plantations: palm circle, inter-row and frond-stacked area. After 1.5 years of this experiment, reduced and conventional management showed comparable gross soil N cycling rates; however, there were stark differences among management zones. The frond-stacked area had higher soil N cycling rates and soil fertility (high microbial biomass, extractable C, soil organic C, extractable organic N, total N and low bulk density) than inter-row and palm circle (all p ≤ 0.05). Microbial biomass was the main driver of the soil N cycle, attested by its high correlation with gross N-cycling rates (r = 0.93–0.95, p < 0.01). The correlations of microbial N with extractable C, extractable organic N, soil organic C and total N (r = 0.76–0.89, p < 0.01) suggest that microbial biomass was mainly regulated by the availability of organic matter. Mulching with senesced fronds enhanced soil microbial biomass, which promoted nutrient recycling and thereby can decrease dependency on chemical fertilizers.

scholarly journals Analysis of Crop Production Constraints Through Participatory Rural Appraisal in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia; Implications for Research and Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 209-217
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Biri ◽  
Kibret Ketema ◽  
Solomon Ayele ◽  
Dagnachew Lule
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia

Participatory rural appraisals (PRA) were conducted in July 14 to 30, 2016 in AGP-II project target districts: Erar waldiya and Dire Teyara in Harari region of Ethiopia. PRA exercises were conducted using various PRA tools which included review of secondary data, focus group discussions, field observations (Transact walk) and pair-wise ranking. The tools were used to identify the biophysical and socio-economic constraints, opportunities and developments within the kebeles. Agricultural and animal productions are common in the surveyed Kebeles of the AGP-II target districts. Mixed farming is widely practiced in the kebeles of both districts. Staple food crops like maize and sorghum, and cash crops like vegetables and khat (Catha edulis Forsk) are commonly produced across all targets of AGP-II districts and also as region as well. Growing maize and sorghum in khat alleys is another cropping system practiced in both districts. The PRA work has also identified various categories of constraints to increasing crop production in the areas. The major bottlenecks include lack of improved crop varieties, low soil fertility, deforestation, moisture stress, disease and insect pests, and lack of awareness on soil fertility crop management. In most of the PRA Kebeles, it was found that continuous cropping, complete removal of crop residues from farm lands, soil erosion, deforestation, absence of fallowing, and inadequate soil fertility management practices are the major causes for low soil fertility and crop yields. In most cases, farmers apply Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), urea and farmyard manure to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, very few farmers use integrated application of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure for crop production. In addition, no scientifically formulated and recommended fertilizer rates are available for the specific soils and environments. Thus, due to the lack of scientifically recommended rates of fertilizers and high costs of mineral fertilizers, farmers often use smaller rates of mineral N and P fertilizers based on haphazard estimations.

scholarly journals Performance of direct seeded rice in Tungabhadra command area of Karnataka

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2481-2484
Author(s):  
Y. M. Ramesha ◽  
Manjunath Bhanuvally ◽  
Ashok Kumar Gaddi
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Command Area ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Transplanted Rice ◽  
Labour Requirement ◽  
Direct Seeded

A large scale demonstration was taken on direct seeded rice in four locations (one at ARS, and three at Farmers field in 50 acres each) in and around the Agricultural Research Station, Dhadesugur, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka. Our analysis showed that, the yield performance of direct seeded rice (DSR) varied with transplanted rice (TPR) and with different locations. This may be due to variety used and crop management practices adopted by the farmers. In L2, maximum grain yield was recorded in DSR (6500 kg/ha) and TPR (6200 kg/ ha) compared to other three locations. Further, the grain yield was higher in DSR compared to TPR in all the locations. Similarly, economics of DSR varied with TPR and with different locations. This may be due to yield variation at different locations. In L2, net returns and B:C ratio were higher in DSR (` 93628/ha and 3.93, respectively) and TPR (`79868/ ha and 3.0, respectively) compared to other three locations. Further, net returns and B:C ratio were higher in DSR compared to TPR. Further, 47% of the labour requirement was saved in DSR compared to TPR. Therefore, concluded that, farmers can grow rice by direct seeding instead of planting to save the labour and the expenditure.

scholarly journals Effect of Soil Management Practices and Slope on Soil Fertility of Cultivated Lands in Mawula Watershed, Loma District, Southern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Damte Balcha Gadana ◽  
Parshotam Datt Sharma ◽  
Dereje Tsegaye Selfeko
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
The Government ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The Impact

Soil degradation is a serious problem challenging food security in Ethiopia. To halt degradation and restore impoverished soils, the government has initiated soil management practices in the affected areas. Still, there is little information on the impact of these practices in terms of improvement in soil fertility of cultivated lands under different soil and climatic conditions. Accordingly, the study was carried out to study the effect of soil management practices, viz, soil bund (SB), application of farm yard manure (FYM), soil bund integrated with FYM (SBFYM), and vis-a-vis no management practice (NM), on soil fertility under upper (20%–30%) and lower (2%–10%) slope ranges at Mawula watershed, Loma district, Southern Ethiopia. Twenty-four composite soil samples (4 practices × 2 slope ranges × 3 sites) drawn from the surface layer (0–20 cm) were analysed for different physical and chemical properties indicative of soil fertility. The data were analysed statistically in a randomized complete block design. All the soil management practices improved significantly the different aspects of physical and chemical fertility (soil texture, bulk density, total porosity, moisture content, organic carbon, and contents of macro and micronutrients, viz, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu). The practice SBFYM was significantly superior to FYM and SB. The order of performance was SBFYM > FYM > SB > NM. The usefulness of soil management practices was further corroborated by the farmers’ response (based on semistructured questionnaires), as 83% of them perceived the practices well and opted for their adoption. As such, the soil management practices, notably SBFYM, merit their implementation on a large scale to improve fertility and productivity of degraded lands.

Soil Parameters Related to Crop Growth Variability in Western Niger, West Africa

1996 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Manu ◽  
L. P. Wilding ◽  
L. R. Hossner ◽  
A. A. Pfordresher ◽  
S. C. Geiger
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Growth Variability ◽  
Crop Growth Variability

scholarly journals Effects of Management Practices on Soil Nutrient Levels in Sabke Catchment Area, Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
S.A Mashi ◽  
A. Yaro
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Residue Retention

In Nigeria’s drylands, profitable crop production requires adequate soil fertility management. This study examines the effects of farmer-managed practices on soil fertility in Sabke catchment of the drylands. Seven sites under permanent cropland, fallow land, grassland, shrubland, orchard land, intercropping land and woodland distributed on four transects were selected across the catchment. At every site, five replicate soil samples were collected from 0-15cm (topsoil) and 20-30cm (subsoil) and analysed for C, N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Na. Higher topsoil values of most of the properties were observed under cropland and intercropping sites. The two cultivated plots receive annual applications of organic manure in addition to chemical fertilizer and crops residue retention while the other plots are not. Thus, improvement in soil organic matter and nutrients would be expected in soils of the area with high rate of application of manure and chemical fertilizer, and retention of crop residues

ON-FARM TRIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT IMPACT? THE ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH AND THE SCALING OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
NINA DE ROO ◽  
JENS A. ANDERSSON ◽  
TIMOTHY J. KRUPNIK
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Operational Space ◽  
Farmer Selection ◽  
On Farm

SUMMARYChanges in donor priorities have meant that agronomists working in the tropics find themselves in a fundamentally new operational space, one that demands rapid improvements in farmers' livelihoods resulting from the large-scale adoption of new technologies and crop management practices. As a result, on-farm trials in contemporary Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) are increasingly implemented both to collect data and to spur farmer adoption. We examine the different interpretations and organisational practices of AR4D organisations in this new operational space, and reflect on the usefulness of on-farm trials for agricultural technology scaling. Three case studies are presented to address these questions – two in sub-Saharan Africa and one in South Asia. Each study is considered in light of Science and Technology Studies theory and locates science as a politically situated practice, recognising the tension that scientists face between providing evidence and persuading selected audiences. The case studies show that this tension results in the introduction of several biases that limit the scalability of the technologies under investigation. These include biases at the level of the trial location, host-farmer selection, trial design, management and evaluation. We conclude by discussing how the contemporary political and institutional environment of AR4D produces project beneficiaries and research outcomes on selected farms, but not necessarily impacts at scale.

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