Maize Yield as Affected by Organic Inputs and Urea in the West African Moist Savanna

Vanlauwe, Bernard; Aihou, K.; Aman, S.; Iwuafor, E. N. O.; Tossah, B.K.; Diels, Jan; Sanginga, N.; Lyasse, Omar; Merckx, Roel; Deckers, Joanna

doi:10.2134/agronj2001.1191

Cited by 106 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Specific constraints to crop yield increases include variability of dry spells and lack of field-water management strategies in the drier parts of the continent 38 , absence of significant irrigation infrastructure 39,40 , low nutrient application and absence of fallows to restore soil fertility levels 41,42 , lack of availability of suitable high-yielding crop varieties that in turn could be related to institutional and political conditions [42][43][44] , and the lack of farmer expertise in appropriate agronomic practices 42 . However, when combinations of socioeconomic factors align to overcome the biophysical limitations, significant yields gains are achieved 45 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation

et al. 2012

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In the coming decades, continued population growth, rising meat and dairy consumption and expanding biofuel use will dramatically increase the pressure on global agriculture. Even as we face these future burdens, there have been scattered reports of yield stagnation in the world's major cereal crops, including maize, rice and wheat. Here we study data from B2.5 million census observations across the globe extending over the period . We examined the trends in crop yields for four key global crops: maize, rice, wheat and soybeans. Although yields continue to increase in many areas, we find that across 24-39% of maize-, rice-, wheat-and soybean-growing areas, yields either never improve, stagnate or collapse. This result underscores the challenge of meeting increasing global agricultural demands. New investments in underperforming regions, as well as strategies to continue increasing yields in the high-performing areas, are required.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation

et al. 2012

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“…The application of organic residues with fertilizers may also produce indirect interactive effects through the improvement of soil conditions (e.g. water holding capacity) that in turn improve plant growth and nutrient demand, which is met by fertilizer additions (Vanlauwe et al 2001a;Vanlauwe et al 2001b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade-offs between the short- and long-term effects of residue quality on soil C and N dynamics

et al. 2010

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The decline of soil organic matter (SOM) and its associated fertility is one of the most important constraints to enhanced crop productivity in subSaharan Africa. Integrated soil fertility management recognizes the potential benefits of the combined use of organic residue and mineral fertilizer inputs for improved crop yield and SOM build up. However, these benefits may be controlled by residue quality. We examined the short-to long-term C and N dynamics following application of different quality residues with and without N fertilizer in a series of experiments comprising different timescales of measurement in a Kenyan Humic Nitisol. The combined results of these studies indicate that residue quality and fertilizer additions alter short-term C and N mineralization. Combining low quality residue and fertilizer inputs immobilized a greater amount of fertilizer-N than high quality residue. Under field conditions, this reduction in available N induced by the combination of low quality residue and fertilizer reduced environmental N losses and created a positive interactive effect on crop N uptake. While input management manipulated short-term nutrient dynamics, it did not influence long-term SOM stabilization. The input of residue, regardless of quality, contributed to long-term soil fertility improvement. In conclusion, organic residue quality can be manipulated to optimize short-term nutrient dynamics while still conferring the same benefits to long-term SOM contents.

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“…Several attempts to quantify the size of added benefits and the mechanisms creating those have been made. Vanlauwe et al (2002b) reported positive interactions between urea and use of stover and other organic applications while Nhamo (2001) observed added benefits from manure and ammonium nitrate combinations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospects for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems

et al. 2003

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This paper reviews current organic nutrient management practices and their integration with mineral fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa with a view to understanding the potential impacts on a range of input markets. A number of different organic nutrient management practices have been found to be technically and financially beneficial, but they differ considerably as to their effectiveness and resource requirements. A review of African smallholder experiences with integrated soil fertility management practices finds growing use, both indigenously and through participation in agricultural projects. Patterns of use vary considerably across heterogeneous agroecological conditions, communities and households, but are stimulated by profitable commercially oriented agricultural opportunities. The potential for integrated soil fertility management to expand markets for organic inputs, labor, credit, and fertilizer is explored. We found that there are few direct analyses of these links and indirect evidence at this point in time is inconclusive. #

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Maize Yield as Affected by Organic Inputs and Urea in the West African Moist Savanna

Cited by 106 publications

References 17 publications

Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation

Recent patterns of crop yield growth and stagnation

Trade-offs between the short- and long-term effects of residue quality on soil C and N dynamics

Prospects for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems

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