Mineralisation of organic fertilisers used by urban farmers in Harare and their effects on maize (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) biomass production and uptake of nutrients and heavy metals

Shumba, Armwell; Marumbi, Ronald; Nyamasoka, Blessing; Nyamangara, Justice; Madyiwa, Simon

doi:10.1080/02571862.2014.912686

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 25 publications

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“…Fungi are a diverse group of microbes which play key roles in soil during decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling and recycling processes [ 11 ]. The high cost of mineral fertilizers has increased the reliance on organic nutrient resources as a fall-back mechanism by both urban and communal smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe which, when available, are combined with small amounts of mineral fertilizers to ensure food security [ 12 , 13 ]. However, there is limited information on soil fungal dynamics following co-application of organic and inorganic nutrient resources in Southern Africa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil fungal community structure and seasonal diversity following application of organic amendments of different quality under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

et al. 2021

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Recent advocacy for Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) in smallholder farming systems in east and southern Africa show substantial evidence of increased and sustained crop yields associated with enhanced soil productivity. However, the impact ISFM on soil fungi has received limited attention, yet fungi play key roles in crop growth. Following total soil DNA extraction with ZR soil microbe miniprep kit, illumina sequencing was used to, examine the fungal communities (ITS1F) under a maize crop following co-application of organic nutrient resources including Crotalaria juncea, cattle manure and maize stover with inorganic fertilizers at three-time periods (T1-December, T2-January, and T3-February) in Zimbabwe. Ninety-five fungal species were identified that were assigned to Ascomycota (>90%), Basidiomycota (7%) and Zygomycota (1%). At T1, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified across treatments, with Ascomycota attaining > 93% frequency. Fungal succession was noted and involved reduction of Ascomycota coupled by increase in Basidiomycota under the different treatments. For example at T3, Basidiomycota increased to 34% while Ascomycota declined to 66% under manure but remained unchanged in other two organics. Pre-season mineral nitrogen (N) associated with the ‘Birch effect’ apparently influenced the fungal community structure at T1 while readily available fertilizer N was critical at T2 and T3. The low-quality maize stover promoted the presence of Exophiala sp SST 2011 and this was linked to N immobilization. The impact of N addition was more pronounced under medium (manure) to low-quality (maize stover) resources. Fungi required phosphorus (P) and N for survival while their proliferation was dependent on substrate availability linked to resource quality. Interactive-forward test indicated that soil available P and N were most influential (P < 0.05) factors shaping fungal communities. Co-application of medium to high quality organic and inorganic resources show promise as a sustainable entry point towards enhancing belowground fungal diversity critical in driving nutrient supply.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil fungal community structure and seasonal diversity following application of organic amendments of different quality under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

et al. 2021

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Use of Maize (Zea mays L.) for phytomanagement of Cd-contaminated soils: a critical review

Rizwan

Ali

Qayyum

et al. 2016

Environ Geochem Health

137

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Maize (Zea mays L.) has been widely adopted for phytomanagement of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils due to its high biomass production and Cd accumulation capacity. This paper reviewed the toxic effects of Cd and its management by maize plants. Maize could tolerate a certain level of Cd in soil while higher Cd stress can decrease seed germination, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis and growth/yields. Toxicity response of maize to Cd varies with cultivar/varieties, growth medium and stress duration/extent. Exogenous application of organic and inorganic amendments has been used for enhancing Cd tolerance of maize. The selection of Cd-tolerant maize cultivar, crop rotation, soil type, and exogenous application of microbes is a representative agronomic practice to enhance Cd tolerance in maize. Proper selection of cultivar and agronomic practices combined with amendments might be successful for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils with maize. However, there might be the risk of food chain contamination by maize grains obtained from the Cd-contaminated soils. Thus, maize cultivation could be an option for the management of low- and medium-grade Cd-contaminated soils if grain yield is required. On the other hand, maize can be grown on Cd-polluted soils only if biomass is required for energy production purposes. Long-term field trials are required, including risks and benefit analysis for various management strategies aiming Cd phytomanagement with maize.

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Metal-tolerant Pantoea sp. WP-5 and organic manures enhanced root exudation and phytostabilization of cadmium in the rhizosphere of maize

Tahir

Khan

Shahid

et al. 2021

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Mineralisation of organic fertilisers used by urban farmers in Harare and their effects on maize (Zea maysL.) biomass production and uptake of nutrients and heavy metals

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Soil fungal community structure and seasonal diversity following application of organic amendments of different quality under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

Soil fungal community structure and seasonal diversity following application of organic amendments of different quality under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

Use of Maize (Zea mays L.) for phytomanagement of Cd-contaminated soils: a critical review

Metal-tolerant Pantoea sp. WP-5 and organic manures enhanced root exudation and phytostabilization of cadmium in the rhizosphere of maize

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