Phosphorus availability and maize response to organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs in a short term study in western Kenya

Kwabiah, A. B.; Stoskopf, N. C.; Palm, Cheryl; Voroney, R. P.; Rao, M. R.; Gacheru, E.

doi:10.1016/s0167-8809(02)00167-6

Cited by 65 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In all rotations, maize production was roughly doubled by phosphorus fertilization, indicating significant phosphorus deficiency at this site. Maize grain yields reported from the same region by other authors have averaged about 1 t ha 21 without and 2 t ha 21 with phosphorus fertilization (Maroko et al, 1999;Nziguheba et al, 2000;Kwabiah et al, 2003). This low productivity can be due to a variety of factors, such as limited water availability, deficiency in nutrients other than phosphorus, and weed, disease, and pest problems.…”

Section: Planted Fallow Alternatives In the Crop Rotationmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…It can improve phosphorus availability to crops through the acquisition of stable soil phosphorus, including organic phosphorus (George et al, 2002a), with subsequent rapid release of this phosphorus following residue amendment (Kwabiah et al, 2003). Being a nonlegume, it makes no net nutrient input of any element except carbon, although it may transfer nutrients from hedgerows or field boundaries onto arable areas (Jama et al, 2000).…”

Section: Effects Of Fallows On the Overall Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Improving Phosphorus Fertility in Tropical Soils through Biological Interventions

Oberson¹,

Bünemann²,

Friesen³

et al. 2006

Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Planted Fallow Alternatives In the Crop Rotationmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Effects Of Fallows On the Overall Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Phosphorus Fertility in Tropical Soils through Biological Interventions

Oberson¹,

Bünemann²,

Friesen³

et al. 2006

Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Thus, organic farming stands to be the appropriate solution for improving and preserving soil fertility [8][9][10]. Use of organic manure remains one of the reliable ways to improving sustainably tropical acid soils in which high deficiency of available phosphorus prevails [11,12]. The main challenges are the determination of the required quantity of organic fertilizers, the assessment of a balanced ratio of nutrients from organic manures as well as the synchronization of their availability in response to crop demand [7,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Biological Soil Fertility Management Practices for Corn Production in Oxisols

Muyayabantu¹,

Kadiata²,

Nkongolo³

2012

AJPS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Field trials on the management of soil biological fertility with aim to increasing corn production were conducted in a savannah region of the DR-Congo. Three organic matters including fresh biomass of Entada abyssinica, Tithonia diversifolia, Stylosanthes gracilis and a mineral combination of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) (115-63-0) along with a control (without fertilization) were evaluated for corn crop growth and production. The field trial was a completely randomized design with four replicates. Plant height, basal stem diameter, and yield components were assessed. Irrespective of fertilization treatments and variety, maize showed a similar growth up to 20 days after sowing (DAS), and then two distinct trends were observed. At 60 DAS, plant height and basal diameter were significantly bigger in plots treated with NP, T. diversifolia and E. abyssinica compared to S. gracilis treatment and control (NoF). This pattern was also confirmed with agronomic traits such as cob length, number of kernel per cob, and net grain yield. The local variety was the least productive under any treatment. In general, the response of corn crop to organic and inorganic fertilization showed that the mineral combination (NP) increased the most grain yield and other yield components compared to unfertilized trial, followed by T. divessifolia and E. abyssinica. NP and T. diversifolia treatments increased significantly and equally soil potassium content compared to control and other treatments. Application of T. diversifolia appears a more cost effective approach for small farmers to improving fertility of the oxisol prevailing in Central Africa compared to mineral fertilizers.

show abstract

“…Our simulations are in line with studies that show the addition of P in combination with organic matter can increase maize N and P uptake and consequently lead to higher maize yields (Wyatt, 1982;Kwabiah et al, 2003;Das, 2014) in intercropping as opposed to monocultures (Akinnifesi et al, 2007;De Jongh and Nielsen, 2011). Applications of N, P, K have been shown to increase growth and yield in jatropha monocultures (Laviola and Dias, 2008;Yong et al, 2010;Mohapatra and Panda, 2011;De Oliveira Borges and Ribeiro, 2014).…”

Section: Fertiliser Applicationsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Our simulations are in line with various studies that show the addition of P in combination with organic matter can increase maize N and P uptake and consequently lead to greater maize yields (Gachengo et al, 1999;Nziguheba et al, 2000;Kwabiah et al, 2003) in intercropping than in monoculture (Akinnifesi et al, 2007;Mukuralinda et al, 2010). Simulations for 40N40P, and no mulch and no fertiliser affect maize yield more than jatropha yield.…”

Section: Fertilisersupporting

confidence: 89%

Is there life after hype for Jatropha? Exploring growth and yield in Indonesia

Tjeuw

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

at 11 a.m. in the Aula. AbstractJatropha curcas L. is a biofuel crop that has not lived up to expectations due to a combination of hype and disappointment and biophysical factors. This PhD thesis is based on the plant production component of the JARAK programme which aimed to bridge the gap between truth and fiction. This study reviewed the jatropha hype and disappointment and further investigated the hypothesis that jatropha growth and yield are limited by biophysical factors of plant characteristics, cropping systems, and management. My review of the hype and disappointment shows that despite the high expectations fuelled by market pull and technology push, and numerous actors, the commercial potential for jatropha is limited by policy and governance, economics, social, technology, logistical, and environmental. A study of the biophysical components confirms that no current varieties suited to different cropping systems and locations are available. Jatropha aboveground biomass is partitioned predominantly into a structure of stem, branches, and twigs. The below to aboveground biomass ratio was 0.5 and fruit which was found only on productive twigs accounted for the smallest portion of biomass measured. Seed yields were disappointingly small (109 kg ha -1 ) and were largest in monoculture, followed by intercropping and hedgerows in that order, although yields were influenced by age and management of pruning and fertiliser. Seed yield across the three cropping systems can be predicted using plant height and the number of productive twig/branch, although the number of inflorescence clusters per productive twig may be important. Intercropping between jatropha and maize (Zea mays L.) resulted in competition for resources both belowground and aboveground that reduced maize yields. Shoot pruning was effective in managing aboveground competition, while root pruning and root barriers effectively managed competition belowground. Leaf prunings provided a limited, but positive fertility effect on maize yield comparable to 21 kg N ha -1. Jatropha -maize intercropping has potential for long-term productivity provided management practices such as fertiliser, pruning, and planting density can be developed to minimise competition and enhance complementarity. Based on my review of the jatropha hype and disappointment and my biophysical research results, the planting of jatropha by smallholders, or as a plantation crop cannot be recommended. Once the issues I highlight have been resolved and market confidence restored, jatropha may finally become a commercial source of biodiesel able to provide improved socio-economic and environmental benefits.

show abstract

Phosphorus availability and maize response to organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs in a short term study in western Kenya

Cited by 65 publications

References 21 publications

Improving Phosphorus Fertility in Tropical Soils through Biological Interventions

Improving Phosphorus Fertility in Tropical Soils through Biological Interventions

Evaluation of Biological Soil Fertility Management Practices for Corn Production in Oxisols

Is there life after hype for Jatropha? Exploring growth and yield in Indonesia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About