On farm testing of integrated nutrient management strategies in eastern Uganda

Abstract

16This paper reports on a Participatory Learning and Action Research (PLAR) process that 17 was initiated in three villages in Eastern Uganda in September 1999 to enable small-scale farm-18 ers to reverse nutrient depletion of their soils profitably by increasing their capacity to develop, 19 adapt and use integrated natural resource management strategies. The PLAR process was also 20 used to improve the participatory skills and tools of research and extension personnel to sup-21 port this process. The farming systems of the area were characterised for socio-economic and 22 biophysical conditions that included social organisations, wealth categories, gender, crop, soil, 23 agro forestry and livestock production. Farmers identified soil fertility constraints, their indi-24 cators, and causes of soil fertility decline, and suggested strategies to address the problem of 25 soil fertility decline. Soil fertility management diversity among households indicated that most 26 farmers were not carrying out any improved soil fertility management practices, despite pre-27 vious research and dissemination in the area. Following the diagnosis stage and exposure visits 0308-521X/$ -see front matter Ó

Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Bean-Based Cropping Systems of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa

“…In Western Kenya the use of PREP-PAC and climbing bean package increased maize and bean yield by 0.72 and 0.25 t ha -1 respectively, resulting in a 161% return in investment (Nekesa et al, 1999). PREP-PAC use on bean for the two seasons in seven districts in Easter Uganda showed significant increases of 881 kg ha -1 in bean yield, increasing from 1,316 to 2,197 kg ha -1 (Esilaba et al, 2005). This product is commercialized, and makes the PR more accessible to smallholder farmers, thus offers opportunity for easier handling and use for increased bean productivity.…”

“…In spite of the demonstrated advantages of green manure and cover crops, the adoption by farmers has always been very poor, hampered by several factors such as availability of seeds, difficulties in planting and establishing the crop, and labor intense practice such as mowing and incorporating the cover crop (Esilaba et al 2005). Alternative methods of green manure integration on farm were studied, particularly simultaneous cultivation of green manure with main crop, bean or another crop.…”

“…Several legume species have been evaluated and found to be well adapted to the region and produce substantial amounts of biomass. Among the potential green manure species identified were Crotalaria ochroleuca, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, Lablab purpureus (L), and Tephrosia vogelii Hook, which were tested extensively in on-farm experiments for their potential to improve productivity and to obtain feedback based on farmers' perception (Wortmann et al, 1994;Esilaba et al, 2001). High N concentration in Crotalaria biomass grown under N-limiting conditions indicated that large quantities of N were biologically fixed.…”

“…Several technologies have been developed and widely tested with successful results, resulting in development of soil fertility management decision guide, particularly in Uganda (Farley, 1998;Esilaba et al 2001), Kenya (Rachier et al, 2001) and Eastern Congo (Ngongo, 2001). Soil fertility management research results have been translated into recommendations that take into account the soil physical conditions as well as farmers' socio-economic status.…”

Integrated nutrient management of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. yellow sarson) grown in a typic haplaquept soil

“…Crop productivity is increased due to combined application of chemical fertilizer and organic manures. Such combination contributed to the improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil (Esilaba et al, 2004). Rapeseed-mustard occupies the second position in oilseeds next to the groundnut.…”