Soil fertility replenishment through agroforestry systems in two contrasting agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe.

Author(s):  
P.L. Mafongoya ◽  
B.H. Dzowela
1998 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75
Author(s):  
S.K. Debrah ◽  
T. Defoer ◽  
M. Bengaly

Technologies for Striga control have not been widely adopted because of the mismatch between technologies and farmers' socio-economic conditions. This study used a participatory rural appraisal technique at the village, household and plot levels to diagnose the extent of the Striga problem in two agro-ecological zones in southern Mali. This has resulted in an understanding of farmers' attitudes and constraints to Striga control, and opportunities for the development of sustainable technologies suitable for a wide range of farming conditions. Results show that the degree of Striga infestation, levels of farmer knowledge and control practices vary substantially across village territories and fields, and that the severity of the infestation is clearly linked with soil fertility condition and farming practices. It was concluded that in general, the Striga control interventions that would most likely appeal to farmers would be those that will simultaneously improve soil fertility and suppress the development of Striga.


Author(s):  
F. O. Chabi ◽  
G. D. Dagbenonbakin ◽  
C. E. Agbangba ◽  
B. Oussou ◽  
G. L. Amadji ◽  
...  

Soybean is a food security crop in Benin due to its high nutritional value but its yield in the farmers’ cropping system is very low. The present study aims to provide appropriate response to the yield variability among fields in two agro-ecological zones of Benin namely: Southern Borgou zone (AEZ 3 in the north) and cotton zone of central Benin (AEZ 5). Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth in 120 fields (50 in the AEZ 3 and 70 in the AEZ 5). pH (water), soil organic carbon (Walkley and Black method), total nitrogen (Kjeldahl method), CEC (0.01 N ammonium acetate at pH 7 method) and available phosphorus (Bray 1) were determined in the laboratory of Soil Science Water and Environment (LSSEE) of the National Agricultural Research Institute of Benin (INRAB). Cropping system (crop rotations, soil fertility management practices) were also collected using an open ended questionnaire. Classification and regression trees (CARTs) models were used for data analyses. Soybean yield variability among the agro-ecological zones were registered and the highest yield recorded was less than 1 t.ha-1. Considering soil characteristics, soil organic matter level was the most important variable determining yield variability. Furthermore, quantities of P applied and farmyard manure were cropping practices inducing yield variability (86.4% and 15% of the variability respectively). Our results also show that, yield differences noticed among the agro-ecological zones were induced by CEC and pH (water). The study suggested promotion of integrated soil fertility management practices to sustain soybean yield in the study area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Turamyenyirijuru ◽  
Guillaume Nyagatare ◽  
Robert Morwani Gesimba ◽  
Rhoda Jerop Birech

This study assessed soil fertility in potato farms of Birunga and Buberuka highlands agro-ecological zones (AEZs). It compared nutrients levels (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, S, Mn, Cu, Zn and Fe) and other parameters (pH, organic carbon [OC], cation exchange capacity [CEC], base saturation [BS], bulk density [BD] and texture) of soil samples. ANOVA revealed that pH of soils (5.53-6.50) varied from slightly to moderately acidic, BD fell below optimum for plant growth (Lessthan 1.8gcm-3), texture was sandy loam to sand clay loam. Soil fertility for OC (3.33-5.53%), N (0.15-0.31%) and CEC (10.08-18.60 meq/100g) varied from low to medium; and medium to high for BS (34.78-61.91%); was qualified medium for P (5.75-9.20 ppm), K (0.21-0.54 meq/100g), S (6.46 - 8.15 ppm) and majority of micronutrients. Values from Birunga AEZ were higher than ones from Buberuka AEZ except for BD, CEC, clay, silt, Na and Fe. There were significant differences between farms within locations for all parameters and significant differences between locations for all parameters except Na and Mn.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6910
Author(s):  
Adil Dilawar ◽  
Baozhang Chen ◽  
Arfan Arshad ◽  
Lifeng Guo ◽  
Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽  
...  

Here, we provided a comprehensive analysis of long-term drought and climate extreme patterns in the agro ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan during 1980–2019. Drought trends were investigated using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at various timescales (SPEI-1, SPEI-3, SPEI-6, and SPEI-12). The results showed that droughts (seasonal and annual) were more persistent and severe in the southern, southwestern, southeastern, and central parts of the region. Drought exacerbated with slopes of −0.02, −0.07, −0.08, −0.01, and −0.02 per year. Drought prevailed in all AEZs in the spring season. The majority of AEZs in Pakistan’s southern, middle, and southwestern regions had experienced substantial warming. The mean annual temperature minimum (Tmin) increased faster than the mean annual temperature maximum (Tmax) in all zones. Precipitation decreased in the southern, northern, central, and southwestern parts of the region. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a robust increase in temperature extremes with a variance of 76% and a decrease in precipitation extremes with a variance of 91% in the region. Temperature and precipitation extremes indices had a strong Pearson correlation with drought events. Higher temperatures resulted in extreme drought (dry conditions), while higher precipitation levels resulted in wetting conditions (no drought) in different AEZs. In most AEZs, drought occurrences were more responsive to precipitation. The current findings are helpful for climate mitigation strategies and specific zonal efforts are needed to alleviate the environmental and societal impacts of drought.


2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 107317
Author(s):  
Nirmalendu Basak ◽  
Biswapati Mandal ◽  
Ashim Datta ◽  
Manik Chandra Kundu ◽  
Arvind Kumar Rai ◽  
...  

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