Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by maize as affected by particulate organic matter quality, soil characteristics, and land-use history for soils from the West African moist savanna zone

Vanlauwe, Bernard; Aihou, K.; Aman, S.; Tossah, B.K.; Diels, Jan; Lyasse, Omar; Häuser, S.; Sanginga, N.; Merckx, Roel

doi:10.1007/s003740050022

Cited by 35 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The lack of stable aggregate formation in the coarse-textured soil of Machanga prevented the physical protection of the residue inputs and stabilization of C and N. The increase in C and N content of the coarse particulate organic matter fraction with high quality residues indicates a direct input of residues into this fraction as they are broken down into smaller pieces. Vanlauwe et al (2000) found that maize N uptake was related to particulate organic matter N concentrations. The higher C and N contents observed in the coarse particulate organic matter fraction in the Tithonia and Calliandra treatments implies improved short-term fertility with high quality residues, but this C and N failed to become further stabilized within protected aggregate fractions in the coarse-textured soil.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Residue quality and N fertilizer do not influence aggregate stabilization of C and N in two tropical soils with contrasting texture

Gentile

Vanlauwe

Kavoo

et al. 2008

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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To address soil fertility decline, additions of organic resources and mineral fertilizers are often integrated in sub-Saharan African agroecosystems. Possible benefits to long-term C and N stabilization from this input management practice are, however, largely unknown. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate the effect of residue quality and mineral N on soil C and N stabilization, (2) to determine how input management and root growth interact to control this stabilization, and (3) to assess how these relationships vary with soil texture. We sampled two field trials in Kenya located at Embu, on a clayey soil, and at Machanga, on a loamy sand soil. The trials were initiated in 2002 with residue inputs of different quality (no input, high quality Tithonia diversifolia, medium quality Calliandra calothyrsus, and low quality Zea mays (maize) stover), incorporated at a rate of 4 Mg C ha -1 year -1 alone and in combination with 120 kg N ha -1 season -1 mineral fertilizer. Maize was grown in the plots each season, and a section of the plots was left uncropped. All aboveground maize residues were removed from the plots. Soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected in March 2005 to assess aggregation and C and N stabilization. The finetextured soil at Embu was more responsive to inputs than the coarse-textured soil at Machanga. Residue additions increased macroaggregation at Embu, and cropping increased aggregation at Machanga. At Embu adding organic residue, regardless of the quality, and cropping significantly increased total soil C and N. This increase was also observed in the macroaggregate and microaggregate-within-macroaggregate fractions. Input treatments had little effect on C and N contents of the whole soil or specific fractions at Machanga. Nitrogen fertilizer additions did not significantly alter C or N content of the whole soil or specific fractions at either site. We conclude that residue quality does not affect the stabilization of soil organic C and N. Inputs of C and soil stabilization capacity are more important controls on stabilization of soil organic matter.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Residue quality and N fertilizer do not influence aggregate stabilization of C and N in two tropical soils with contrasting texture

Gentile

Vanlauwe

Kavoo

et al. 2008

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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“…biomass was applied. Vanlauwe et al (2000) also found nitrogen concentration in the particulate organic matter (POM) fraction of soil to be increased significantly by one cycle of Mucuna spp. and lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Changes in soil properties and nematode population status under planted and natural fallows in land use systems of southern Cameroon

Banful

Häuser

2011

Agroforest Syst

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Changes in soil properties and nematode population status under Flemingia macrophylla [(Willd.) Merrill], Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth, and natural bush fallows were assessed in three villages in southern Cameroon. In each village, experiments were set up in a 4-5 year-old bush fallow dominated by Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M.King and H. Rob and a more than 20 year-old secondary forest. Total aboveground biomass production of P. phaseoloides was 7.45 Mg ha -1 , 4.2 times higher than F. macrophylla (1.78 Mg ha -1 ; P \ 0.05). In two years (24 MAP), the soil bulk density under P. phaseoloides, F.macrophylla and the natural regrowth in both bush and forest land use systems decreased (P \ 0.05). Within the same period, there was a general improvement in aggregate stability. The particle size distribution changed over 3 years (36 MAP), such that at 0-10 cm depth, the percent sand content had reduced whiles the percent clay content had increased under all the fallow systems in both bush and forest land use systems (LUSs). Soil N also increased significantly (P \ 0.05) after cropping under all the fallow systems in both LUS. In contrast, soil organic carbon decreased, but the extent was lower under P. phaseoloides and F. macrophylla compared to the natural regrowth. Soil P also decreased after cropping under all the fallow systems in both LUS whereas decrease in Mg was only observed under P. phaseoloides. F. macrophylla had Mg content after cropping similar to the initial in both LUS. Soil contents of K and Ca were not significantly different over time under all the fallow systems. Comparing the initial Helicotylenchus multicinctus population to that at 12 MAP, both P. phaseoloides and F. macrophylla reduced density of H. multicinctus (P \ 0.05). However, when the initial population density was compared to that at 24 MAP only under P. phaseoloides was the reduction maintained. The study concluded that the general improvement in the soil physical properties, impacted positively on the N and organic carbon contents which were sustained to a larger extent under the planted fallows than the natural regrowth. Furthermore, P. phaseoloides could be used as one component for the biological control of Helicotylenchus multicinctus, a phytopathogenic nematode.

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“…Several authors have examined the distribution of structural primary roots (Akinnifesi et al, 1999;Asaah et al, 2010;Coutts 1983;Toky and Khosla, 1989). Other research efforts have described and compared the fine root distribution of 8 tree species in India (Chaturvedi and Das, 2003); 13 multipurpose trees in Nigeria (Akinnifesi et al, 1999); Grevillea robusta and Gliricidia sepium in Kenya (Odhiambo et al, 2001); and Senna siamea in three regions of Togo (Vanlauwe et al, 2002). Until now, little or no research work has been done on indigenous trees under domestication in Africa with the aim of understanding the rooting system distribution of transplanted trees of vegetative and seed origins, respectively.…”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond vegetative propagation of indigenous fruit trees: case of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam and Allanblackia floribunda Oliv.

Asaah

Tchoundjeu

Damme

2012

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Indigenous fruits/nuts of Africa's humid tropics are increasingly being recognized for their contribution to food security, health (nutrition/medicine), income generation, employment and environmental benefits. However, cultivation of the trees yielding these fruits/nuts is constrained by lack of improved planting materials that are true-to-type and have a short enough juvenile phase to fruit production. In addition, information on both above and belowground growth attributes of these species is scarce. This paper presents an overview of the results of a doctoral research focused on two African indigenous fruit tree species, i.e. Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam (Burseraceae) and Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Clusiaceae), which are currently under domestication. For D. edulis, the objective was to assess and compare the structural and fine rooting systems together with the above ground growth attributes of fruiting trees propagated either sexually or vegetatively. The research aim for A. floribunda was to shorten the long juvenile phase before first fruiting through grafting techniques. In summary, the results from the studies on D. edulis suggest that vegetative propagation of the species, reduces the long juvenile phase to fruiting and maintains trueness in the transfer of desirable traits over generations, it also results in trees that are apparently less competitive for below ground resources, have more stable root system, and are bigger in stature and higher in carbon sinks compared to trees of seed origin. In parallel, A. floribunda was shown to be amenable to grafting both under nursery and field (in situ) conditions. Furthermore, a grafted A. floribunda tree transplanted in the field in 2007, flowered and carried a single fruit to maturity after 4 years, thereby reducing the long juvenile period to first fruit production from about 10-12 years reported in literature to less than 5 years. The findings of this doctoral research are therefore pertinent to efforts towards indigenous fruit/nut tree domestication. However, research should be confirmed as it can be considered a pilot study, one that aims to obtain insights into the effect of vegetative propagation methods on above and below ground growth and development of improved planting materials of D. edulis and A. floribunda under domestication. Simon and Leakey (2004), domestication of agroforestry trees encompasses both the socio-economic and biophysical processes involved in the identification and characterization of germplasm resources; the capture, selection and management of genetic resources; and the regeneration and sustainable cultivation of the species in managed ecosystems. The importance of domesticating and integrating these high-value fruit trees in agricultural landscapes by farmers is increasingly being recognized in Africa's humid tropics. However, in an agroforestry context, there has been scant research into the above and below ground growth attributes of intercropped trees that determine whether the association will be complementa...

show abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by maize as affected by particulate organic matter quality, soil characteristics, and land-use history for soils from the West African moist savanna zone

Cited by 35 publications

References 14 publications

Residue quality and N fertilizer do not influence aggregate stabilization of C and N in two tropical soils with contrasting texture

Residue quality and N fertilizer do not influence aggregate stabilization of C and N in two tropical soils with contrasting texture

Changes in soil properties and nematode population status under planted and natural fallows in land use systems of southern Cameroon

Beyond vegetative propagation of indigenous fruit trees: case of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam and Allanblackia floribunda Oliv.

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