scholarly journals Soil Nutrient Balance and Stock on Smallholder Farms at Agew Mariam Watershed in Northern Ethiopia

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilahun Esubalew ◽  
Tadele Amare ◽  
Eyayu Molla
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Land Productivity ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Residue Removal ◽  
P Balance ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers

Abstract IntroductionSoil nutrient balance is used to evaluate the state of soil fertility, rate of nutrient depletion, sustainability of land productivity, the environmental wellbeing of an area, and to take appropriate management decisions. This study was conducted to quantify soil nutrient balance and stocks on smallholder farms at the Agew Mariam watershed in northern Ethiopia in the 2020/21 main season.MethodsInflows and outflows of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) into, and out of barley, tef, and wheat farms were determined through, field measurement, laboratory analysis, and interviews. The balance quantification was done by subtracting nutrient outputs from the inputs. ResultsThe N partial balance of barley, tef and wheat was -66, -9.8, and -50.7 kg ha-1 yr-1 respectively. The P balance was also -5.9, 0.9, and -2.6 kg ha-1 yr-1 for barley, tef, and wheat respectively. Whereas, K balance was -12.3, -3.2, and -5.4 kg ha-1 yr-1 from barley, tef, and wheat respectively. The balance results revealed that N, P, and K had negative values except for P in tef. Grain yield and crop residue removal were the major paths of nutrient loss. The stock of N was 1295, 1510, and 1240 from barley, tef, and wheat kg ha-1respectively. While, the P stock was 63, 18.7, and 27.5, kg ha-1 from barley, tef, and wheat farms respectively. Similarly, K stock was 1092.7, 1059.4, and 1090.6 kg ha-1 from barley, tef, and wheat cropping systems respectively. ConclusionsReversing the imbalance between inflows and outflows via adding organic and inorganic fertilizers is critically essential for the study area.

scholarly journals Can Long-Term Experiments Predict Real Field N and P Balance and System Sustainability? Results from Maize, Winter Wheat, and Soybean Trials Using Mineral and Organic Fertilisers

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1472
Author(s):  
Ilaria Piccoli ◽  
Felice Sartori ◽  
Riccardo Polese ◽  
Maurizio Borin ◽  
Antonio Berti
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Long Term Experiments ◽  
P Balance

Agri-environmental indicators such as nutrient balance may play a key role in soil and water quality monitoring, although short-term experiments might be unable to capture the sustainability of cropping systems. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: (i) to evaluate the reliability of long-term experimental N and P balance estimates to predict real field (RF) (i.e., short-term transitory) conditions; and (ii) to compare the sustainability of short- and long-term experiments. The LTE-based predictions showed that crops are generally over-fertilised in RF conditions, particularly maize. Nutrient balance predictions based on the LTE data tended to be more optimistic than those observed under RF conditions, which are often characterised by lower outputs; in particular, 13, 44, and 47% lower yields were observed for winter wheat, maize, and soybean, respectively, under organic management. The graphical evaluation of N and P use efficiency demonstrated the benefit of adopting crop rotation practices and the risk of nutrient loss when liquid organic fertiliser was applied on a long-term basis. In conclusion, LTE predictions may depend upon specific RF conditions, representing potential N and P use efficiencies that, in RF, may be reduced by crop yield-limiting factors and the specific implemented crop sequence.

scholarly journals Rice-Residue Management Practices of Smallholder Farms in Vietnam and Their Effects on Nutrient Fluxes in the Soil-Plant System

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dao Trong Hung ◽  
Harold Hughes ◽  
Markus Keck ◽  
Daniela Sauer
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residue ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Nutrient Cycles ◽  
Nutrient Balances ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Direct Incorporation ◽  
Rice Residues

In Vietnam, approximately 39 million tons of rice (Oryza sativa) residues accrue every year. In this study, we quantified soil nutrient balances of paddy rice fields under different crop-residue management practices in northern Vietnam. On twelve farms, we calculated nutrient balances for the four prevalent rice-residue management practices, i.e., (1) direct incorporation of rice residues into the soil, (2) application of rice-residue compost, (3) burning of rice residues on the field, and (4) the use of rice residues as fodder for livestock. Soils under practices (1) to (3) showed a positive nutrient balance, which indicates that soil fertility can be maintained under these practices and that the amounts of chemical fertilizers can be considerably reduced. If not, there is a risk of eutrophication in the surrounding surface waterbodies. Practice (4), in contrast, resulted in a negative nutrient balance, which indicates the need for returning nutrients to the soils. From our findings we conclude that knowledge about the effects of rice-residue management practices on nutrient cycles may help to optimize the use of fertilizers, resulting in a more sustainable form of agriculture.

scholarly journals Soil nutrient loss through erosion: Impact of different cropping systems and soil amendments in Ghana

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e0208250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janvier Bigabwa Bashagaluke ◽  
Vincent Logah ◽  
Andrews Opoku ◽  
Joseph Sarkodie-Addo ◽  
Charles Quansah
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Loss

Whole-tree Harvesting Depletes Soil Nutrients

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin H. White
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Nutrient Pool ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

This paper reports the effects of whole-tree harvesting of eight cottonwood stands on the soil nutrient pool. The data indicate possible site degradation by depletion of soil reserves of N, P, and K but not Ca and Mg on a range of alluvial site conditions in Alabama. Foresters must establish the rate of nutrient removal in intensive tree cropping systems for a variety of species and sites and develop prescriptions to minimize the impact.

Effects of aeolian processes on soil nutrient loss in the Gonghe Basin, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: an experimental study

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xunming Wang ◽  
Lili Lang ◽  
Ting Hua ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Caixia Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Aeolian Processes ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau ◽  
Gonghe Basin

scholarly journals Impact of Cover Crops on the Soil Microbiome of Tree Crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa ◽  
Sarah L. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Tree Crops

Increased concerns associated with interactions between herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, soil nutrient availability, and plant phytotoxicity in perennial tree crop production systems have renewed interest in the use of cover crops in the inter-row middles or between trees as an alternative sustainable management strategy for these systems. Although interactions between the soil microbiome and cover crops have been examined for annual cropping systems, there are critical differences in management and growth in perennial cropping systems that can influence the soil microbiome and, therefore, the response to cover crops. Here, we discuss the importance of cover crops in tree cropping systems using multispecies cover crop mixtures and minimum tillage and no-tillage to not only enhance the soil microbiome but also carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling compared to monocropping, conventional tillage, and inorganic fertilization. We also identify potentially important taxa and research gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate assessments of the relationships between cover crops, soil microbes, and the health of tree crops. Additional evaluations of the interactions between the soil microbiome, cover crops, nutrient cycling, and tree performance will allow for more effective and sustainable management of perennial cropping systems.

scholarly journals Mineral Fertilizer Demand for Optimum Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Yield Potentials of Legumes in Northern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimbahri Mesfin ◽  
Girmay Gebresamuel ◽  
Mitiku Haile ◽  
Amanuel Zenebe ◽  
Girma Desta
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

Farmers in Northern Ethiopia integrate legumes in their cropping systems to improve soil fertility. However, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) potentials of different legumes and their mineral nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) demands for optimum BNF and yields are less studied. This study aimed to generate the necessary knowledge to enable development of informed nutrient management recommendations, guide governmental public policy and assist farmer decision making. The experiment was conducted at farmers’ fields with four N levels, three P levels, and three replications. Nodule number and dry biomass per plant were assessed. Nitrogen difference method was used to estimate the amount of fixed N by assuming legume BNF was responsible for differences in plant N and soil mineral N measured between legume treatments and wheat. The result revealed that the highest grain yields of faba bean (2531 kg ha−1), field pea (2493 kg ha−1) and dekeko (1694 kg ha−1) were recorded with the combined application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1. Faba bean, field pea and dekeko also fixed 97, 38 and 49 kg N ha−1, respectively, with the combined application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1; however, lentil fixed 20 kg ha−1 with the combined application of 10 kg N ha−1 and 10 kg P ha−1. The average BNF of legumes in the average of all N and P interaction rates were 67, 23, 32 and 16 kg N ha−1 for faba bean, field pea, dekeko and lentil, respectively. Moreover, faba bean, field pea, dekeko and lentil accumulated a surplus soil N of 37, 21, 26 and 13 kg ha−1, respectively, over the wheat plot. The application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1 levels alone and combined significantly (p < 0.05) increased the nodulation, BNF and yield of legumes; however, 46 kg N ha-1 significantly decreased BNF. This indicated that the combination of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1 levels is what mineral fertilizer demands to optimize the BNF and yield of legumes. The results of this study can lead to the development of policy and farmer guidelines, as intensification of the use of legumes supplied with starter N and P fertilizers in Northern Ethiopian cropping systems has the multiple benefits of enhancing inputs of fixed N, improving the soil N status for following crops, and becoming a sustainable option for sustainable soil fertility management practice.

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