Tag: organic matter
Rapid characterization of organic resource quality for soil and livestock management in tropical agroecosystems using near-infrared spectroscopy
Organic resources constitute a major source of nutrient inputs to both soils and livestock in smallholder tropical production systems. Determination of resource quality attributes using current laboratory methods is both timely and costly. This study tested visible and near-infrared (wavelengths from 0.35–2.50 m) reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid prediction of quality attributes for a diverse range of organic resources. A spectral library was constructed for 319 samples of oven-dried, ground plant material originating from green leaf (186 samples), litter (33), root (25), and stem (21) samples from 83 species including tropical crops and trees used for agroforestry and manure samples (39). Organic resource attributes were calibrated to first-derivative reflectance using regression trees with stochastic gradient boosting, and screening tests were developed for separating various organic resource quality classes using classification trees. Validation r 2 values for actual vs. predicted values using a 25% holdout sample were 0.91 for N, 0.90 for total soluble polyphenol, and 0.64 for lignin concentration. Screening tests gave validation prediction efficiencies of 96% for detecting samples with high N concentration, 91% for low total soluble polyphenol, and 86% for low lignin concentration. The spectral screening tests were robust even at small (n = 48) calibrations sample sizes. Screening tests for detecting samples with low or high levels of P, K, Ca, and Mg gave prediction efficiencies of 74 to 92%. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy can be used to rapidly screen organic resource quality. Global spectral calibration libraries should be established for a range of resource quality attributes.
Forest soils under Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn agriculture in Sumatra, Indonesia
A global project on `Alternatives to Slash and Burn’ agriculture was initiated by a consortium of international and national research institutes to facilitate intensification of the use of converted forest land, in order to help alleviate poverty and protect the remaining forest areas for their biodiversity values and their role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Data for the Indonesian benchmark areas in the lowland peneplain, piedmont and mountain zone of Sumatra are presented. A significant amount of forest land, especially in the lowland peneplain, has been converted in the last ten years into agricultural use, usually following logging concessions. Soils on the peneplain are poor (oxi-and ultisols) and current intensive crop based production systems are not sustainable. In the piedmont zone on better soils (inceptisols), rubber agroforests (still) characterize the area. Agroforests have emerged during the 20th century as the major alternative to slash-and-burn agriculture, based on a shift of emphasis from food crops to cash-earning tree crops. Emphasis on food crops, however continues in government resettlement schemes. Differences in organic C content of the topsoil between forests and crop land are about 0.5% C, with agroforests and tree crop plantations in an intermediate position. A new size-density fractionation scheme for soil organic matter demonstrated larger changes in light and intermediate fractions. Forest soils can be significant sinks for methane and thus partly compensate for the methane emissions in lowland rice production. Overall, the Sumatra benchmark areas demonstrate the need to combine intensification of land use at the field/household level with effective protection of remaining forest areas at the community level and reducing other driving forces of deforestation at the national level.
Effect of soil amendments on bacterial wilt incidence and yield of potatoes in southwestern Uganda
Potato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major threat to potato production in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is believed that yield losses due to bacterial wilt increase with decreasing soil fertility. A soil amendment experiment was therefore conducted for 3 consecutive seasons, 1998A, 1998B and 1999A at Kachwekano at an altitude of 2200 meters) in southwestern Uganda. Organic materials: Sesbania sesban (S) and Leucaena diversifolia (L.) were applied in amounts sufficient to supply 100 kg N ha-1 either singly or combined with P and PK. Also added were NP and NPK from inorganic sources. The organic materials were incorporated into soil one week before planting, while the inorganic fertilisers were side-dressed at planting all at rates that would supply 100 kg ha-1 of N, P and K. Nitrogen in the form of urea was split-applied at planting and one month after. Bacterial wilt incidence differed with treatments and seasons. Disease incidence was lowest with treatments NP and S+ PK and highest with the control. Application of organic manures alone did not necessarily result in reduced wilt incidence except in a few cases. Both marketable and total tuber yields were consistently highest with S + PK and differed significantly from the control in all seasons. A combined analysis over the three seasons showed that the treatment S + PK gave a significantly higher yield (20.8 ha-1) than all other treatments, while the control yielded significantly lower (9.7 ha-1) than the other treatments. Sesbania as an organic manure performed better than Leucaena and potassium was found to be a useful nutrient for crop performance. When K was applied with NP, LP and SP, it brought about marketable yield increases of 11, 23 and 37%, respectively. Generally, the rate of wilt development, expressed in wilt incidence per unit time, was highest at early stage of growth, thereafter, it declined and stabilised during much of the tuber bulking stage The interaction between soil fertility and bacterial wilt incidence merits further studies in different environments.
Organic matter technologies for integrated nutrient management in smallholder cropping systems of southern Africa
One of the biggest challenges in the tropics is to develop organic matter technologies which are adopted by the farmers. Technologies must be effective within farmer resource constraints, increase food production, reduce risk and enhance the soil fertility. Results from on-farm participatory research were used to quantify the effects of agronomic practices on soil resources. Agricultural productivity is primarily nitrogen (N) limited throughout Malawi, and sub-humid Zimbabwe. Tightening economic constraints faced by farmers in the region have reduced inorganic fertilizer inputs and necessitate increased reliance on biologically-fixed N and N cycling. Three components of organic matter technology were evaluated: (1) the effects of residue quality; (2) the role of deep rooting systems; and (3) tradeoffs between legumes grown for grain versus soil regeneration. Perennial systems investigated include improved fallows, intercropping, and biomass transfer. Annual systems include intercrops and rotations of cereals with legumes. The most promising non-food legumes were Tephrosia and Sesbania. Interestingly, high quality residues of perennial legumes were most effective at supplying N in the short to medium term, whereas low quality residues immobilised N. Low quality residues were problematic for smallholder farmers who need immediately available N. Challenges to adoption of perennial system technologies include establishment costs, resource competition and delayed benefits. Farmer adoption of annual grain legumes is promoted by the simultaneous production of food; however, those species which have a high N harvest index add little to no net N to the soil. Species that combine some grain yield with high root and leaf biomass, thus a low N harvest offer a useful compromise of meeting farmer food security concerns and improving soil fertility. Promising genotypes include Arachis, Cajanus, Dolichos and Mucuna spp. On-farm N budgets indicate that legumes with high quality residues and deep root systems are effective ways at improving nutrient cycling. Areas of future research priority for smallholder farms in southern Africa were identified, including technologies which combine inorganic and organic fertilizer and improve legume growth and establishment on degraded soils.
Modelling root architecture and phosphorus uptake in agroforestry
A modified version of the WaNuLCAS model [Water, Nutrient and Light Capture in Agroforestry Systems, which models water, nitrogen and light interactions in agroforestry systems] is outlined. The modified model includes phosphorus as a second nutrient, with a range of phosphorus (P) acquisition mechanisms for crops and trees, and interactions via recycling and rhizosphere modification
Organic materials as sources of phosphorus
Variability of soil micronutrients concentration along the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Soil micronutrients are important elements for plant growth despite being required in small quantities. Deficiency of micronutrients can result in severe crop failure while excess levels can lead to health hazards; therefore, investigating their status in agricultural land is crucial. Fifty plots were established along an altitudinal gradient from 680 to 1696 m a.s.l. on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Soils were sampled at the top- (0-20 cm) and subsoils (21-50 cm) in four locations within each plot. Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy and wet chemistry were used for soil analysis. Results indicated that the mean concentrations of the micronutrients in the topsoil were Fe (130.4 ± 6.9 mgkg-1), Mn (193.4 ± 20.5 mgkg-1), Zn (2.8 ± 0.2 mgkg-1), B (0.68 ± 0.1 mgkg-1), and Cu (8.4 ± 0.8 mgkg-1). Variations of the micronutrients were not statistically different by elevation (df = 41, p > 0.05) and by soil depth (df = 49, p > 0.05). Correlations among micronutrients were significant for Fe versus Mn (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), B versus Zn (r = 0.40, p = 0.003), B versus Cu (r = 0.34, p = 0.013), and Cu versus Zn (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). The correlated micronutrients implied that they were affected by similar factors. Soil pH correlated positively with B, Fe, and Mn and negatively with Cu and Zn, hence probably influencing their availability. Therefore, the need for sustaining micronutrient at sufficient levels is crucial. Management interventions may include moderating soil pH by reducing acidity through liming in the higher elevations and incorporation of organic matter in the lowlands. © 2016 Mathayo Mpanda Mathew et al.
Spatial variation of soil macrofauna and nutrients in tropical agricultural systems influenced by historical charcoal production in South Nandi, Kenya
The charcoal sector constitutes an important source of employment and revenue for many tropical agroecosystems. Better understanding of the effects of charcoal-making is thus warranted to guide actions aimed at minimising environmental externalities. Conversion of trees to charcoal eliminates canopy effects associated with the living trees while at the same time creates new conditions in and around spots where the charcoal is produced due to increased concentration of pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM). It is unclear, whether such unintentional PyOM additions play a role in the abundance and distribution patterns of soil macrofauna. A study was conducted in South Nandi (Kenya) to assess effects of PyOM on soil macrofauna, taking advantage of abandoned traditional earth-mound charcoal kilns, where Croton megalocarpus Hutch. and Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild.) P.G.Waterman trees were used in charcoal making. Soil and soil macrofauna samples were collected at increasing distances from the centre of the spots. Total C, non-pyrogenic C (non-PyC) and total N progressively increased with increasing distance from the centre of the spots, whereas soil pH, pyrogenic C (PyC), available P and exchangeable K decreased. The number of earthworms and centipedes in Z. gilletii spots (119 and 14 individuals m2, respectively) was twice as high as in kilns where C. megalocarpus was used. Notably, while the number of earthworms in spots rich in Z. gilletii PyOM significantly increased with increasing distance from the centre of the spots, the opposite trend was observed for centipedes. In contrast, no significant differences in the spatial distribution of earthworms or centipedes were found in spots rich in C. megalocarpus PyOM. Furthermore, beetles, termites and crickets were significantly higher in C. megalocarpus than Z. gilletii spots, but sampling distance also had no significant influence. As hypothesised, source of PyOM played a major role in determining soil properties and macrofauna distribution patterns thus showing the value of abandoned charcoal-making spots in contributing to a mosaic of soil conditions that could ultimately affect soil productivity in tropical agricultural systems.
Modelling of planted legume fallows in western Kenya using WaNuLCAS. (II) Productivity and sustainability of simulated management strategies
Improved fallow is a technology that can help to raise agricultural productivity in systems of poor soil fertility and low financial capital. Models, once calibrated, can be used to investigate a range of improved fallow systems relatively quickly and at relatively low cost, helping to direct experimental research towards promising areas of interest. Six fallow crop rotations were simulated using the WaNuLCAS model in a bimodal rainfall setting in Kenya over a 10 year period: (A) alternating fallow and crop seasons, (B) one season fallow followed by three seasons crop, (C) one season fallow followed by four seasons crop, (DF) 13 seasons fallow periods followed by 35 seasons cropThe strategies were tested using a number of fallow growth rates, soil clay contents, and rainfall amounts to determine the interaction of fallow rotation and biophysical vari- ables on maize (Zea mays (L.)) yield and sustainability (organic matter, N2 fixation, leaching). The best simulated fallow strategies doubled maize yield compared to continuous maize over a 10 year period. Across all biophysical treatments strategy A and B of no more than three consecutive cropping seasons and of one consecutive fallow season yielded the most maize. This was because fallow benefits were largely due to the immediate fallow soil fertility benefit (IFB) rather than the cumulative benefit (CFB). The difference in yield between the two strategies was through a balance between (1) their interaction with the biophysical variables affecting accumulation of organic matter, hence increasing soil fertility and (2) the extra intrinsic soil fertility used for maize productivity by the inclusion of more cropping seasons within the rotation. We propose the following conceptual framework to manage fallows for maximum maize yield: when environmental factors are strongly limiting to fallow and crop growth then fallow strategy A would be the best strategy to employ (less risk but more labour) and when factors are less limiting then strategy B would be the best to employ.