Fusion of indigenous knowledge and gamma spectrometry for soil mapping to support knowledge-based extension in Tanzania

Reinhardt, Nadja; Herrmann, Ludger

doi:10.1007/s12571-017-0663-5

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gamma‐ray measurements, thus, can help to differentiate between bedrock and soil, and detect weathering intensity, textural properties, and nutrient status of the latter ( Cook et al, ). Gamma‐ray spectrometry has emerged as a helpful tool for rapid soil mapping ( Schuler et al, ), soil map refinement ( Reinhardt and Herrmann , ), soil characterization ( Beamish , ), and precision farming ( Van Egmond et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gammaray spectrometry can add soil information to other covariate data layers like parent rock or topography as used in digital soil mapping (Bierwirth, 1996;Dickson and Scott, 1997;Taylor et al, 2002). Combination with other (3D-)methods like electromagnetic measurements (Hyvö nen et al, 2005) but also participatory mapping (Reinhardt and Herrmann, 2017) make gamma-ray spectrometry even more expedient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Gamma‐ray spectrometry as versatile tool in soil science: A critical review

Reinhardt

Herrmann

2018

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gamma‐ray spectrometry is an established method in geo‐sciences. This article gives an overview on fundamentals of gamma‐ray spectrometry that are relevant to soil science including basic technical aspects, and discusses influencing factors, inconsistencies, limitations, and open questions related to the method. Gamma‐ray spectrometry relies on counting gamma quanta during radionuclide decay of 40K, 238U, and 232Th, but secular equilibrium for the decay series of U and Th must be given as decays of their respective daughter radionuclides are used for determination. Secular equilibrium for U and Th decay series, however, is not always given leading to, e.g., anomalies in U concentration measurements. For soil science, gamma‐ray spectrometry is of specific value since it does not only detect a signal from the landscape surface, but integrates information over a certain volume. Besides, different spatial scales can be covered using either ground‐based or airborne sensing techniques. Together with other remote sensing methods, gamma signatures can provide completive information for understanding land forming processes and soil properties distributions. At first, signals depend on bedrock composition. The signals are in second order altered by weathering processes leading to more interpretation opportunities and challenges. Due to their physico‐chemical properties, radionuclides behave differently in soils and their properties can be distinguished via the resulting signatures. Hence, gamma signatures of soils are specific for local environments. Processes like soil erosion can superimpose gamma signals from in situ weathering. Soil mappings, available K and texture determination, or peat and soil erosion mapping are possible applications being discussed in this review.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gamma‐ray spectrometry as versatile tool in soil science: A critical review

Reinhardt

Herrmann

2018

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since yield variability is highly influenced by the soil properties, we used a local soil map and underlying data from the physical and chemical properties of the soil [26]. In general, the farmers' soils matched with respect to classification and fertility but were noticeably different in terms of texture with predominantly higher sand content [26]. As shown in the soil map ( Figure 2), these soils were chromic lixisol loamic (CLL), chromic lixisol hypereutric (CLH), chromic lixisol (CL), haplic acrisol loamic (HA), and sodic vertisol hypereutric (SVH).…”

Section: Soil Physical and Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Intra and Interseasonal Rainfall Variability and Its Effects on Pearl Millet Yield in a Semiarid Agroclimate: Significance of Scattered Fields and Tied Ridges

Silungwe

Graef

Bellingrath-Kimura

et al. 2019

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Establishing food security in sub-Saharan African countries requires a comprehensive and high resolution understanding of the driving factors of crop production. Poor soil and adverse climate conditions are among the major drivers of poor regional crop production. Drought and rainfall variability challenges are not fully being addressed by rainfed producers in semiarid areas. In this study, we analysed the spatiotemporal rainfall variability (STRV) and its effects on pearl millet yield using two seasons of data collected from 38 rain gauge stations scattered randomly in farm plots within a 1500 ha area of semiarid central Tanzania. The STRV effects on pearl millet yield under flat and tied ridge management were analysed. Our results show that seasonal rainfall can vary significantly for neighboring fields at distances of less than 200 m, which impacts yield. The STRV for daily rainfall was found to be more critical than for total seasonal rainfall amounts. Scattering fields can help farmers avoid total harvest loss by obtaining at least some yield from the areas that received adequate rain. The use of tied ridges is recommended to conserve soil moisture and improve yields more than flat cultivation in semiarid areas.

show abstract

“…They are found to contain a low total nitrogen (%) mean of 0.04 ± 0.02, mean pH (H2O) of 6.7 ± 0.9, and a low mean soil organic matter (%) of 0.74 ± 0.35 (mean ± S.D). As shown in Figure 1, soil groups (according to different groups of the World Reference Base (WRB) Soil Groups [25]) varied across the village. Figure 1.…”

Section: Study Area Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Daily rainfall data were collected using manual rain gauges, as explained by [10]. Topsoil characteristics for the area were analysed for physical and chemical properties, with average values and details provided in a previous study [25]. The planting dates and grain yield data during each season were collected by farmers under the close supervision of an agricultural field officer.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Management Strategies of Pearl Millet Farmers to Cope with Seasonal Rainfall Variability in a Semi-Arid Agroclimate

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rainfed agriculture constitutes around 80% of the world’s agricultural land, achieving the lowest on-farm crop yields and greatest on-farm water losses. Much of this land is in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where hunger is chronic. The primary constraint of rainfed agriculture—frequently experienced in SSA—is water scarcity, heightened by the unpredictability of season onset, erratic rainfall, as well as the inability of farmers to provide adequate soil and crop management. Farmers react differently to constraints, making a variety of choices—including the timing of planting, type of land cultivation, fertilization, and scattered fields, among many others. Limited information is available on the combined effects of these strategies for improving crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE). An experiment was co-conducted with farmers over four consecutive rainy seasons (2014–2018) in Tanzania, to evaluate these strategies for single and joint effects in improving yield and WUE on rainfed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.). The treatments used were flat cultivation both without and with microdosing, as well as tied ridging without and with microdose interaction, with different planting dates depending on farmers’ decisions. Results show that farmers react differently to the early, normal, or late onset of the rainy season, and cumulative rainfall during its onset, which affects their decisions regarding planting dates, yield, and WUE. Microdose fertilization increases both the yield and WUE of pearl millet significantly, with greater effects obtained using tied ridging compared to flat cultivation. For low-income smallholder farmers in a semi-arid agroclimate, using tied ridging with microdosing during early planting is an effective response to spatiotemporal rainfall variability and poor soils.

show abstract

Fusion of indigenous knowledge and gamma spectrometry for soil mapping to support knowledge-based extension in Tanzania

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Gamma‐ray spectrometry as versatile tool in soil science: A critical review

Gamma‐ray spectrometry as versatile tool in soil science: A critical review

Analysis of Intra and Interseasonal Rainfall Variability and Its Effects on Pearl Millet Yield in a Semiarid Agroclimate: Significance of Scattered Fields and Tied Ridges

The Management Strategies of Pearl Millet Farmers to Cope with Seasonal Rainfall Variability in a Semi-Arid Agroclimate

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About