Soil fertility and land sustainability in Usangu Basin-Tanzania

Abstract

Soil fertility determines crop growth, productivity and consequently determines land productivity and sustainability. Continuous crop production exploits plant nutrients from soils leading to plant nutrient imbalance, thus affecting soil productivity. This study was conducted to monitor soil fertility status in soils of Usangu agro-ecosystem to establish management strategies. To assess soil fertility status in Usangu agro-ecosystem in Southern Highland Tanzania; 0–30 cm depth soil samples were taken for organic carbon, soil pH, N, P, Ca, K, Mg, S, Al, and micronutrients such as Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, and Cr analyses by various established standard analytical methods. The results indicated most micronutrients were available in the deficient amount in many studied sites except for Fe and Mn, which were observed to be above optimum requirement. Based on critical levels established in other areas, 90 % of the soils were ranked as N, P, K, and Mg deficient. The micronutrients (Cu, Fe, and Zn) were inadequate in all soils resulting in limited crop growth and productivity. A high concentration of trace metals was detected in agricultural soils, this might affect plant nutrients availability and leading to environmental contamination affecting land productivity and sustainability. The study found that Usangu agro-ecosystem has deprived of soil fertility leading to poor crop growth and productivity. The authors recommend the addition of supplemental materials rich in plant nutrients such as inorganic fertilizer, manure, crop residues, and treated wastes to improve soil fertility for improved productivity and land sustainability.

Lowering nitrogen rates under the system of rice intensification enhanced rice productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in irrigated lowland rice

“…This pH range is generally suitable for rice production ( Halim et al., 2018 ). Soil pH affects the availability and solubility of essential plant nutrients such as N, P, Ca, Mg, S, and K ( Mng'ong'o et al., 2021 ). The soil is sand clay loamy in texture, with water field capacity of 22.2% volume and wilting point of 14.4% volume ( Table 3 ).…”

Sangu Plant Tales: An Eco-portrayal of Human Floral Dependency

“…Secondly, the tale connotes that it is set in the area which is rain-fed, naturally fertile and climatically conducive for the growth of vegetation in that the plants venerate God for the availability of food and other provisions. Mng'ong'o, Munishi, Blake, Comber, Hutchinson and Ndakidemi (2021), literally justify this fact. According to them, the Usangu plain is divided into two parts: The hilly south part which is well covered by natural forests with an annual rainfall ranging between 1000 and 1600 mm.…”

Determinants of Farmers' Participation in the Agricultural Sector Support Project for the Adoption of Improved Technology in Traditional Poultry Farming: Evidence from Rural Togo

“…Despite this, the issues of poverty, food security and welfare especially in rural areas continue to be an important agenda in SSA and worldwide (Alem, 2015;Sisha, 2020). Several previous scientific research findings support the premise that agricultural production especially crop production and productivity have been significantly declining in recent years due to the adverse effects of climate change, declining cropland fertility, and high population pressure leading to overexploitation of agricultural land and land-use constraints (Afolayan, 2021;Mng'ong'o et al, 2021;Ortiz-Bobea et al, 2021). Thus, poverty alleviation requires adaptation by strengthening farmers' resilience.…”