Making Sense Out of Soil Nutrient Mining and Depletion in Sub-Saharan Africa

Olupot, Giregon; Basamba, T. A.; Ebanyat, Peter; Musinguzi, Patrick; Opolot, Emmanuel; Katusabe, A.A.; Bekunda, Mateete; Singh, Bibek

doi:10.1201/b22321-3

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Nutrient mining is widespread across SSA but is typically associated with low levels of mineral fertilizer inputs (FAO, 2022; Henao & Baanante, 1999; Olupot et al., 2021). Our results show the potential for N mining to occur even at higher rates of N fertilizer application.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fate of Nitrogen During Agricultural Intensification in East Africa: Nitrogen Budgets in Contrasting Agroecosystems

et al. 2023

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The technological transformations of smallholder agricultural systems that took place as part of the Green Revolution in Asia and Latin America in the second half of the twentieth century have been slow to take hold in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A history of low fertilizer use in SSA has led to widespread depletion of soil nitrogen (N) and other nutrients (Cobo et al., 2010;Vitousek et al., 2009), limiting crop productivity and contributing to the inability of many smallholders to break out of poverty (Barrett & Bevis, 2015). New efforts at agricultural intensification became a focus of international development and national policy in multiple African countries during the 2000s (Jayne & Rashid, 2013;Jayne & Sanchez, 2021). Many agricultural development practitioners have focused on restoring soil nutrients, increasing productivity, and alleviating poverty through the intensification of smallholder agriculture (AGRA, 2009). Although there is some debate about the

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fate of Nitrogen During Agricultural Intensification in East Africa: Nitrogen Budgets in Contrasting Agroecosystems

et al. 2023

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“…A matter of concern is farmers who prefer ameliorants that are applied with partial (Crop care and Montys) and no (Growmor and Promis) NPK fertilization. The particular farmers must be cautious for nutrient mining as elaborated by Oluput et al (2020) and Tindwa et al (2020). Application of N and P by Crop care and Montys, and especially Growmor and Promis are insufficient to replenish the removal of the two nutrients by maize, leading eventually to a decline in soil fertility.…”

Section: Organic Ameliorants' Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Commercial Organic Ameliorants on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations of Maize Biomass at Ninth Leaf and Silking Growth Stages

Baloyi¹,

Kutu²,

Preez³

2023

GEP

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The response of grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index of maize to the application of commercial organic ameliorants was inconsistent and poor. Hence it was hypothesized that the supply of N and P to maize plants was inadequate during vegetative growth, resulting in low concentrations of the two nutrients in maize biomass. The effects of nine ameliorants on the N and P concentrations of maize plants at ninth leaf (V9) and silking (R1) stages of maize were studied over three years at Bothaville (8% clay), Ottosdal (12% clay) and Potchefstroom (34% clay). All ameliorants were applied as prescribed by manufacturers. The N and P concentrations in maize biomass of the ameliorants at V9 and R1 were lower, comparable or higher, showing that the inconsistent and poor response of yield parameters can not be ascribed to inadequate uptake of N and P. A matter of concern that justifies thorough investigation, is the prescribed use of Crop care and Growmor with partial and of Montys and Promis with no NPK fertilization, an unsustainable practice over the long term. Characterization of the active ingredient(s) of the ameliorants is deemed also of importance for better insight.

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Making Sense Out of Soil Nutrient Mining and Depletion in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

The Fate of Nitrogen During Agricultural Intensification in East Africa: Nitrogen Budgets in Contrasting Agroecosystems

The Fate of Nitrogen During Agricultural Intensification in East Africa: Nitrogen Budgets in Contrasting Agroecosystems

Impact of Commercial Organic Ameliorants on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations of Maize Biomass at Ninth Leaf and Silking Growth Stages

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