Combining manure with mineral N fertilizer maintains maize yields: Evidence from four long-term experiments in Kenya

Laub, Moritz; Corbeels, Marc; Ndungu, Samuel Mathu; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Mugendi, Daniel N.; Necpálová, Magdaléna; Broek, Marijn Van de; Waswa, Wycliffe; Vanlauwe, Bernard; Six, Johan

doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2022.108788

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In a process that was repeated four times, a large data set was used based on three of the four sites for the model calibration and the validation was performed based on the fourth site. The plot-scale yield of maize grain and the aboveground biomass, both on a dry matter basis (t ha -1 ), were available for each cropping season between 2002 and 2020 (further details in Laub et al, 2023). In addition to that, plot-scale SOC and total N contents in the top 15 cm were available for several points over time.…”

Section: Data Used For the Daycent Model Evaluation/calibrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to use DayCent to assess the potential of ISFM to contribute to closing the yield gap while minimizing environmental impact in Kenya and other SSA countries, the aim of this study was to use Bayesian calibration to derive robust DayCent parameters of SOM cycling and maize growth in Kenya. We used the experimental data of four long-term ISFM trials conducted in Kenya for almost two decades (Laub et al, 2022(Laub et al, , 2023. Of these, two sites were in humid western Kenya and two in subhumid to semi-arid central Kenya.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A robust DayCent model calibration to assess the potential impact of integrated soil fertility management on maize yields, soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya

Laub,

Necpalova,

Van de Broek

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Abstract. Sustainable intensification schemes that increase crop production and soil fertility, such as integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), are a proposed strategy to close yield gaps and achieve food security in sub-Saharan Africa while maintaining soil fertility. However, field trials are insufficient to estimate the potential impact of such technologies at the regional or national scale. Upscaling via biogeochemical models, such as DayCent, from the field-scale to a larger region can be a suitable and powerful way to assess the potential of such agricultural management practices at scale, but they need to be calibrated to new environments and their reliability needs to be assured. Here, we present a robust calibration of DayCent to simulate maize productivity under ISFM, using data from four long-term field experiments. The experimental treatments consisted of the addition of low- to high-quality organic resources to the soil, with and without mineral N fertilizer. We assess the potential of DayCent to represent the key aspects of sustainable intensification, including 1) yield, 2) changes in soil carbon, and 3) global warming potential. The model was calibrated and cross-evaluated with the probabilistic Bayesian calibration technique. The standard parameters of DayCent led to poor simulations of maize yield (Nash-Sutcliffe modeling efficiency; EF 0.33) and changes in SOC (EF -1.3) for different ISFM treatments. After calibration of the model, both the simulation of maize yield (EF 0.51) and the change in SOC (EF 0.54) improved significantly compared to the model with the standard parameter values. A leave-one-site-out cross-evaluation indicated the robustness of the approach for spatial upscaling (i.e., the significant improvement, described before, was achieved by calibrating with data from 3 sites and evaluating with the remaining site). The SOC decomposition parameters were altered most severely by the calibration. They were an order of magnitude higher compared to the default parameter set. This confirms that the decomposition of SOC in tropical maize cropping systems is much faster than in temperate systems and that the DayCent temperature function is not suitable to capture this with a single parameter set. Finally, the global warming potential simulated by DayCent was highest in control -N treatments (0.5–2.5 kg CO2 equivalent per kg grain yield, depending on the site) and could be reduced by 14 to 72 % by combined application of mineral N and manure at a medium rate. In three of the four sites, the global warming potential was largely (> 75 %) dominated by SOC losses. In summary, our results indicate that DayCent is suitable for estimating the impact of ISFM from the site to the regional level, that trade-offs between yields and global warming potential are stronger in low-fertility sites, and that the reduction of SOC losses is a priority for the sustainable intensification of maize production in Kenya.

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Section: Data Used For the Daycent Model Evaluation/calibrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

A robust DayCent model calibration to assess the potential impact of integrated soil fertility management on maize yields, soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya

Laub,

Necpalova,

Van de Broek

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…While reasonable yield (50 kg ha −1 year −1 ) reductions were recorded under long‐term cultivation of maize without fertilizers and manures, the soils treated with NPK and farmyard manure (FYM) consistently achieved significantly higher yields (Laub et al, 2023). The sustainable intensification through the integration of organic manures and mineral fertilizers is a function of the positive interaction between the inputs and their adaptation towards the local environmental conditions to minimize the losses of nutrients (Laub et al, 2023). Animals are fed with different supplements rich in micronutrients, primarily Fe, which in turn enriches the manures, however, such unbalanced supply of Fe might cause detrimental effects by contaminating the soil, water and the food chain (Baldi et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sustainable yield index (SYI) of wheat was observed to be increased with the long‐term incorporation of organic manures (Choudhary et al, 2018). While reasonable yield (50 kg ha −1 year −1 ) reductions were recorded under long‐term cultivation of maize without fertilizers and manures, the soils treated with NPK and farmyard manure (FYM) consistently achieved significantly higher yields (Laub et al, 2023). The sustainable intensification through the integration of organic manures and mineral fertilizers is a function of the positive interaction between the inputs and their adaptation towards the local environmental conditions to minimize the losses of nutrients (Laub et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Release, availability and geochemical interaction of Fe in soil after long‐term integrated nutrient management in wheat

Saroha,

Yadav,

Raj

et al. 2024

European J Soil Science

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Wheat contributes to about one‐fifth of the total calories and protein consumption by humans but is found lower in total iron (Fe) concentration than the targeted nutritional requirement, leading to increasing cases of anaemia and malnutrition in humans, especially in the developing countries. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to understand the dynamics of Fe in soil and its supply in relation to wheat productivity and grain quality. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of long‐term (54 years) annual and biannual application of different doses of farmyard manure (FYM) (0, 5, 10 and 15 Mg ha−1) and nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg ha−1) under integrated nutrient management on the dynamics of Fe in soil along with its relationship with total Fe uptake in wheat. Additionally, the release pattern of native soil Fe and risk of Fe toxicity were evaluated. The highest grain yield of wheat (6.08 Mg ha−1) was observed under biannual application of FYM and nitrogen at 10 Mg ha−1 and 120 kg ha−1, respectively, which was approximately 155% higher than the control plot (F0N0). Under the dual season application of 15 Mg ha−1 FYM and 120 kg ha−1 nitrogen, the total Fe content (48.48 mg kg−1) and its uptake (270.52 g ha−1) in wheat grains were found at maximum. The soil incubation study revealed that the rate of release of Fe increased up to 30 days of incubation followed by constant rates indicating the establishment of dynamic equilibrium among the different Fe fractions. Thus, the present study was conducted for the first time to improve the understanding of changes in Fe concentration and rate of release in soil, which directly influence the Fe uptake in wheat grain under the long‐term integrated nutrient management practices.

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“…This excessive application has led to poor nitrogen utilization e ciency, soil compaction, and a decrease in soil organic matter content. Simultaneously, the unretrieved portion enters the soil, atmosphere, and water bodies, polluting the ecological environment (Raza et al, 2014;Moritz et al, 2023). Hence, establishing a green and sustainable crop rotation model is of paramount signi cance, especially in intensively cultivated areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the role of soil microbes and enzymes in regulating nitrogen dynamics: Promoting sustainable crop rotation systems

Zhang,

Ji,

Jiang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Aims Soil nitrogen is recognized as a vital nutrient influencing soybean growth and yield. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate connections between shifts in nitrogen patterns and the behaviors of soil microbial communities and crucial enzymes in the nitrogen cycle is highly desirable. Methods This study involved a rotation positioning experiment spanning 9 to 11 years. Measurement of soil microenvironment changes during the mature period for three consecutive years, focusing on the corn-soybean rotation with varying fertilizer application rates. Six distinct treatment groups were established for investigation. Based on these groups, the study delved into the alterations in nitrogen patterns within the soybean rotation, examining both soil enzyme activity and microbial community dynamics. Results Long-term crop rotation and nitrogen application led to an increase ranging from 2.16% to 108.34% in the nine components of soil nitrogen. The variations in total nitrogen, heavy fraction organic nitrogen, and light fraction organic nitrogen were primarily influenced by the enrichment of the Actinobacteriota phylum. The environmental factors affecting the changes in inorganic nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, exchangeable ammonium and acid hydrolyzable nitrogen were linked to the Ascomycota phylum. The Proteobacteria phylum and urease were key factors in the variations of organic nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogencomponents, respectively. Conclusions Changes in inorganic nitrogen and total organic nitrogen resulting from crop rotation enhanced the richness of soil microbial communities, reducing their diversity. This alteration influenced the bacterial and fungal communities composition, ultimately augmenting their functional capacities.

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Combining manure with mineral N fertilizer maintains maize yields: Evidence from four long-term experiments in Kenya

Cited by 10 publications

References 63 publications

A robust DayCent model calibration to assess the potential impact of integrated soil fertility management on maize yields, soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya

A robust DayCent model calibration to assess the potential impact of integrated soil fertility management on maize yields, soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya

Release, availability and geochemical interaction of Fe in soil after long‐term integrated nutrient management in wheat

Understanding the role of soil microbes and enzymes in regulating nitrogen dynamics: Promoting sustainable crop rotation systems

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