Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on efficacy of applied nitrogen by maize in Western Ethiopia

Tolessa, D.; Preez, C. C. du; Ceronio, Gert

doi:10.1080/02571862.2009.10639930

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…quality and promote plant, animal and human health which is essential for enhancing the sustainability of the rural community in the region. The initiation phase of MTRR when additional N fertilization is usually needed seems favourably short based on recorded grain yield (Tolessa et al, 2007) and fertilization efficacy (Tolessa et al, 2009) Figure 8. Effect of nitrogen fertilization on total N measured after harvesting in the 0 to 7.5 cm, 7.5 to 15 cm, 15 to 22.5 cm and 22.5 to 30 cm layers of Nitisols at the five experimental sites in 2004. significant difference in grain yield between MTRV and CT and both were significantly inferior to MTRR (Table 3).…”

Section: Total Nitrogenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on organic matter content of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Tolessa¹,

Preez²,

Ceronio³

2014

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Ethiopian soils, formed from old weathered rocks, are naturally low in fertility. Moreover, crop production is constrained by non-sustainable cropping practices, particularly repeated plowing and hoeing, which enhances loss of soil organic matter. Field trials were therefore conducted to determine the integrated effects of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on organic matter content of Nitisols at five sites using maize as test crop during 2000 to 2004 in Western Ethiopia. Three tillage systems [minimum tillage with residue retention (MTRR), minimum tillage with residue removal (MTRV) and conventional tillage (CT)] and three N levels (the recommended rate and 25% less and 25% more than this rate) were combined in factorial arrangement with three replications. After 5 years, the two measured indices of organic matter, viz. the organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) content were both significantly higher in the MTRR soil compared to the CT and MTRV soils. However, the influence of tillage systems on organic C and total N was confined to the upper 0 to 7.5 cm soil layer. On average, organic C and total N in this layer were 17 and 25%, and 20 and 29% higher with MTRR than with CT and MTRV, respectively. Application of N fertilization for 5 consecutive years showed profound effects on organic C and total N. Increasing levels of N application led to higher organic C and total N irrespective of tillage system. Both organic C and total N showed however a steady (115 kg ha-1 N level) to declining (69 and 92 kg ha-1 N levels) trend over time. Based on these results, replacement of CT with MTRR should be beneficial and sustainable to soil quality in the study area. However, MTRV is not an option at all to replace CT from a soil quality point of view. This study's findings may be applicable to other highland regions in Africa where cropping on Nitisols is common.

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Section: Total Nitrogenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of the results are already reported, viz. the effects on yield and yield components (Tolessa et al, 2007) and efficacy of applied nitrogen (Tolessa et al, 2009). In this paper, the response of soil organic matter is presented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on organic matter content of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Tolessa¹,

Preez²,

Ceronio³

2014

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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“…This aspect should be taken into account when the replacement of CT with MTRR is advocated. Compared to CT, MTRR resulted in more efficient use of applied N by maize (Tolessa et al, 2009).…”

Section: Exchangeable Kmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License this investigation was to obtain substantiated information whether the sustainability of the current cropping systems can be improved with minimum tillage. Results of the investigation concerning effects on yield and yield components (Tolessa et al, 2007) and efficacy of applied nitrogen (Tolessa et al, 2009) have already been reported but not that of changes in soil fertility indicators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on the pH, extractable phosphorus and exchangeable potassium of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Tolessa¹,

Preez²,

Ceronio³

2014

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Maize production in Western Ethiopia is constrained by non-sustainable cropping practices, particularly repeated conventional tillage and insufficient N fertilization. A change in these cropping practices have usually a profound influence on soil chemical properties of which some may affect crop performance. Field trials were therefore conducted to determine the integrated effects of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on the pH, extractable phosphorus and exchangeable K of Nitisols at five sites using maize as test crop from 2000 to 2004 in Western Ethiopia. Three tillage systems (MTRR = minimum tillage with residue retention, MTRV = minimum tillage with residue removal and CT = conventional tillage) and three N levels (the recommended rate and 25% less and 25% more than this rate) were combined in factorial arrangement with three replications. After five years the influence of the tillage systems on pH, extractable P and exchangeable K was confined to the upper 0-7.5 cm. The soil was acidified much more with MTRR than with either MTRV or CT. However, MTRR resulted in higher contents of extractable P and exchangeable K than MTRV and CT. Application of N fertilization for five consecutive years significantly decreased pH irrespective of tillage system. Neither extractable P nor exchangeable K were affected by N fertilization. The enhanced soil acidification that coincides with MTRR may impact negatively on maize production in the long run without a proper liming program. Liming is currently not a common practice in Western Ethiopia because of resource poor farmers. This aspect should be taken into account when the replacement of CT with MTRR is recommended. The findings of this study could be useful to other highland regions in Africa where cropping on Nitisols is common.

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“…This in addition to soil fertility depletion (Claassen, 1996). The depletion of soil fertility can be countered by the introduction of conservational cultivation practices such as minimum tillage with appropriate soil fertilizer inputs and adoption of low fertility crops such as cowpea, millet, sorghum and cassava (Samantha, 2001 andTolessa, 2006). Greater crop yields in conservation tillage (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating effect of climate change on finger millet (Eleusine Coracana) yield under selected tillage practices and soil fertilizers inputs in semi-arid lower Eastern Kenya

Onwonga¹,

Madegwa²,

Shibairo³

2018

J. Agric. Sci. Pract.

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The current study, conducted in semi-arid Machakos and Kitui Counties of Kenya, simulated effect of climate change (CC) on finger millet yield under different soil fertilizer inputs (SFI), tillage practices (TP) and projected CC scenarios using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement was employed. Main plots were TP; oxen plough-OP, ridges and furrows-RF with SFI; Farm yard manure-FYM, Triple super phosphate-TSP + Calcium Ammonium Nitrate-CAN (TSP+CAN) and no fertilizer input as splitplots. The CC scenarios considered were; Current Rainfall (R0) and Temperature (T0) provided the baseline, R1 (R0+10% increase in rainfall), R2 (R0-10% decrease in rainfall), T1 (T0 + 20C) and T2 (the combined effects of 10% decrease in rainfall and 20C increase in temperature (-10%+20C). Significantly (P≤0.001) higher finger millet yields were obtained in TSP+CAN treated plots compared to FYM and control in both Kitui (with higher yields) and Machakos. Comparatively, finger millet yields were well simulated with moderate RMSE (1.04, 0.94) values in OP and RF in Kitui and low values (0.18) in OP in Machakos). Simulated finger millet yields mirrored measured yields, and were higher in Kitui (RF) than Machakos (OP) with TSP+CAN recording highest simulated yields compared to FYM and control. R1 (R0+10% rainfall) registered significantly high finger millet yields under OP and RF with application of TSP+CAN in both sites. The lowest finger millet yields, across sites were noted in T2 (-10% rainfall+2 0 C), in decreasing order; TSP+CAN; FYM and control under OP and RF. Finger millet yields measured and simulated, insitu and across CC scenarios, indicated that application of TSP+CAN under conservation tillage practices (RF in Kitui and OP in Machakos) consistently gave superior yields compared to FYM and control. In the event of change of climate favouring increased rainfall (R1), finger millet grown under RF and OP with application of TSP+CAN may have the potential to adapt to climate change and enhance food and nutritional security. Further studies, mainly focusing on moisture conservation and breeding of drought tolerant crops, are nonetheless recommended to generate possible CC adaptation strategies under R2, T1 and T2 possible climate change scenarios in semi-arid regions of Kenya.

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Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on efficacy of applied nitrogen by maize in Western Ethiopia

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on organic matter content of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on organic matter content of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Effect of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on the pH, extractable phosphorus and exchangeable potassium of Nitisols in Western Ethiopia

Simulating effect of climate change on finger millet (Eleusine Coracana) yield under selected tillage practices and soil fertilizers inputs in semi-arid lower Eastern Kenya

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