Productivity, profitability and partial nutrient balance in maize-based conventional and organic farming systems in Kenya

Adamtey, Noah; Musyoka, Martha W.; Zundel, Christine; Cobo, Juan Guillermo; Karanja, Edward Nderitu; Fiaboe, Komi K. M.; Muriuki, Anne; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Vanlauwe, Bernard; Berset, Estelle; Messmer, Monika; Gattinger, Andreas; Bhullar, Gurbir S.; Cadisch, Georg; Fließbach, Andreas; Mäder, Paul; Niggli, U.; Foster, Dionys

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.10.001

Cited by 107 publications

(66 citation statements)

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“…However, a detailed study on yield losses/gains due to termite presence and activity was not done. Generally, since the beginning of the experiment yields of French beans in Org-High system were lower, but baby corn yields were similar or even higher to conventional systems [29]. During the study period, however, we found lower yields of baby corn in Org-High compared to Conv-High at Thika (~ 10%), which could be attributed to termite presence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Yet, the finding of significantly higher termite diversity in the organic highinput system demonstrates that farming practices such as applying compost, mulch and cover crops as well as irrigation can mitigate the negative effects of farming on termite diversity. In addition, these farming practices can have a positive effect on soil quality (see introduction and [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]), and might contribute to an improved productivity of maize crop in organic high-input system [28,29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there is some knowledge existing on how biophysical and management factors affect termite abundance, diversity and activity [24,25], but on the extent how complex farming systems affect termites only little knowledge exists [26,27]. In Kenya, Long-term Farming Systems Comparisons trials (SysCom; [28,29]) have been on-going since 2007 at Chuka (Tharaka Nithi County) and at Thika (Murang'a County) to provide evidence on productivity, profitability and sustainability of the different agricultural production systems. In the experiment organic (Org) and conventional (Conv) farming systems are compared at high input levels representing commercial large scale production (high inputs of fertilizer and irrigation) and low input levels representing small holder production, largely for subsistence use (low inputs of fertilizer and rain fed).…”

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confidence: 99%

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The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

et al. 2020

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Background: A long-term experiment at two trial sites in Kenya has been on-going since 2007 to assess the effect of organic and conventional farming systems on productivity, profitability and sustainability. During these trials the presence of significant numbers of termites (Isoptera) was observed. Termites are major soil macrofauna and within literature they are either depict as 'pests' or as important indicator for environmental sustainability. The extent by which termites may be managed to avoid crop damage, but improve sustainability of farming systems is worthwhile to understand. Therefore, a study on termites was added to the long-term experiments in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to quantify the effect of organic (Org) and conventional (Conv) farming systems at two input levels (low and high) on the abundance, incidence, diversity and foraging activities of termites. Results:The results showed higher termite abundance, incidence, activity and diversity in Org-High compared to Conv-High, Conv-Low and Org-Low. However, the termite presence in each system was also dependent on soil depth, trial site and cropping season. During the experiment, nine different termite genera were identified, that belong to three subfamilies: (i) Macrotermitinae (genera: Allodontotermes, Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes and Pseudocanthotermes), (ii) Termitinae (Amitermes and Cubitermes) and (iii) Nasutitiermitinae (Trinervitermes). Conclusions:We hypothesize that the presence of termites within the different farming systems might be influenced by the types of input applied, the soil moisture content and the occurrence of natural enemies. Our findings further demonstrate that the organic high input system attracts termites, which are an important, and often beneficial, component of soil fauna. This further increases the potential of such systems in enhancing sustainable agricultural production in Kenya.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

et al. 2020

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“…A comprehensive review on partial and full nutrient balances for several countries in Africa ( e.g ., Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda) pointed at evident N losses, but less remarkable losses for P ( Cobo et al, ). Recently in Kenya, Adamtey et al () estimated positive P partial balances under both low and high inputs compared to conventional and organic production systems. They underlined also the negative trends for N in conventional systems and positive trends for organic high input systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, P input through atmospheric deposition or losses through, for example, leaching and erosion were not considered in the analyses. The partial balances for N and P were computed as the difference between the estimated inputs and outputs ( Buerkert et al, ; Adamtey et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity and nutrient use efficiency of maize, sorghum, and cotton in the West African Dry Savanna

Amouzou

Naab²,

Lamers

et al. 2018

J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci.

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Sustainable agricultural practices are needed to improve food security and support livelihoods in West Africa, where soil nutrient deficiencies and rainfed production systems prevail. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies of three dominant crops (maize, sorghum, and cotton) under different soil management strategies in the dry savanna of northern Benin. Data were collected for each crop in experiments with (1) an un‐amended soil as control, (2) a low use of external inputs, (3) an integrated soil–crop management practice, and (4) a high mineral fertilizer use, as treatments. Data were collected through researcher‐managed and farmer‐managed on‐farm trials in 2014 and 2015, and analyzed using linear robust mixed effects model and Pearson's correlation. Above‐ground biomass accumulation did not differ significantly among the control, integrated soil–crop management practice, and high mineral fertilizer use up to 30, 50, and 60 d after planting for maize, cotton, and sorghum, respectively. Thereafter, the differences in growth were substantial for each crop with highest biomass monitored with high mineral fertilizer use and lowest with the control. Biomass and economic yields at harvest were highest under high mineral fertilizer use and integrated soil–crop management practice, although the magnitude was crop‐specific. With the integrated soil–crop management practice and high mineral fertilizer use, N and P uptake by all crops was higher than for the un‐amended soil conditions. Inter‐seasonal changes in N uptake were higher for sorghum and cotton, but lower for maize. The highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery of N and P as well as positive N and P partial balances were obtained with the integrated soil–crop management practice for all three crops tested. The integrated soil–crop management strategy gave the highest yields and significantly improved N and P use efficiencies. The findings can contribute to formulating site and crop‐specific recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices in the Dry Savanna zone of West Africa.

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Framing and Farming

Ritchie¹

2019

The Science Beneath Organic Production

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Productivity, profitability and partial nutrient balance in maize-based conventional and organic farming systems in Kenya

Cited by 107 publications

References 35 publications

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

Productivity and nutrient use efficiency of maize, sorghum, and cotton in the West African Dry Savanna

Framing and Farming

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