Spatial variability of selected soil micronutrients under smallholder crop production in Zanyokwe, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Manyevere, Alen; Muchaonyerwa, Pardon; Mnkeni, P. N. S.; Dhau, Inos

doi:10.1080/02571862.2016.1266399

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…These changes were also reported by the study of Mandiringana et al (2005), which observed that crop elds were either abandoned or received little attention because of an increase in garden farming. The current nding on the abandonment of crop elds is in agreement with reports from previous studies (Manyevere et al, 2014;Blair et al, 2018;Myeni et al, 2019). The current study expands on the biophysical reasons for the crop elds abandonment and highlights the challenges with the use of perceived organic fertilizers such as manure and compost.…”

Section: Demographic Pro Le Of Farmerssupporting

confidence: 90%

Exploring local knowledge on soil quality indicators, climate variability, and farming productivity: a case of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Nyambo,

Manyevere,

Mashamaite

2023

Preprint

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Climate variability and soil degradation threaten livestock and crop production globally, and the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is not exempt. However, little is documented on indigenous perceptions and knowledge held by the farmers concerning the interactive impact of climate variability and soil quality on livestock and crop productivity. The current study used semi-structured questionnaires and interviews to gather local knowledge about the impact of soil quality indicators (SQI) and climate variability on farm productivity among 162 farmers in the Raymond Mhlaba municipality of Eastern Cape Province. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the association between the knowledge of SQI and farming experience or age of the farmer, except for soil organic matter (p = 0.047) and soil biology (p = 0.018). The prolonged drought, low rainfall, and poor soil quality were the major causes of the decline in production. Changes in grazing management and the addition of chemical fertilizers were mentioned to perpetuate soil erosion gullies, increase soil acidity and compaction, and lower soil moisture. According to the participants, adopting crop and livestock practices such as rotation, manure, and compost application improved soil moisture, fertility, and general agricultural productivity amid the observed climate variability. Therefore, the results provide a solid background for various stakeholders (i.e., decision-makers, policymakers, and scientists) to create agricultural practices tailored to farmers’ understanding that will assist them in mitigating the effects of climate variability and land degradation.

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Section: Demographic Pro Le Of Farmerssupporting

confidence: 90%

Exploring local knowledge on soil quality indicators, climate variability, and farming productivity: a case of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Nyambo,

Manyevere,

Mashamaite

2023

Preprint

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“…Zn deficiency is one of the important nutritional constraints in cereal crops, especially rice and wheat, and Zn-deficient cereal-based diets create serious problems for human health. Zn deficiency was found to be prevalent in 50% of the soil samples collected from different countries (Dharejo et al 2011;Hansen et al 1996;Manyevere et al 2017). Fageria et al (2002) observed that under such deficiencies, cereal crop yields can exhibit growth and yield a reduction, up to 80%, along with a reduced grain Zn concentration.…”

Section: Zn and Fe Deficiency In Soil-a Global Concernmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of microbes in the biofortification of Zn and Fe in dietary food grains. A review

Singh

Prasanna

2020

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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Micronutrients are essential factors for human health and integral for plant growth and development. Among the micronutrients, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency in dietary food are associated with malnutrition symptoms (hidden hunger), which can be overcome through biofortification. Different strategies, such as traditional and molecular plant breeding or application of chemical supplements along with fertilizers, have been employed to develop biofortified crop varieties with enhanced bioavailability of micronutrients. The use of microorganisms to help the crop plant in more efficient and effective uptake and translocation of Zn and Fe is a promising option that needs to be effectively integrated into agronomic or breeding approaches. However, this is less documented and forms the subject of our review. The major findings related to the mobilization of micronutrients by microorganisms highlighted the significance of (1) acidification of rhizospheric soil and (2) stimulation of secretion of phenolics. Plantmicrobe interaction studies illustrated novel inferences related to the (3) modifications in the root morphology and architecture, (4) reduction of phytic acid in food grains, and (5) upregulation of Zn/Fe transporters. For the biofortification of Zn and Fe, formulation(s) of such microbes (bacteria or fungi) can be explored as seed priming or soil dressing options. Using the modern tools of transcriptomics, metaproteomics, and genomics, the genes/proteins involved in their translocation within the plants of major crops can be identified and engineered for improving the efficacy of plant-microbe interactions. With micronutrient nutrition being of global concern, it is imperative that the synergies of scientists, policy makers, and educationists focus toward developing multipronged approaches that are environmentally sustainable, and integrating such microbial options into the mainframe of integrated farming practices in agriculture. This can lead to better quality and yields of produce, and innovative approaches in food processing can deliver cost-effective nutritious food for the undernourished populations.

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“…Shackleton et al 2013 ; 2019 ) could explain its limited use. The provision of social grants in South Africa coupled with cash remittances from urban areas, declining productivity of the land, low and erratic rainfall, lower investment in agricultural extension and declining labour as the youth migrate to urban areas have also been implicated in the decline in crop production in rural areas (Manyevere et al 2014 ; Shackleton et al 2019 ). While goat milk is shunned (Idamokoro et al 2019 ), indigenous goats are also known to produce low amounts of milk which may not be adequate for the kids, let alone for human consumption (DAFF 2019 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The utilisation of domestic goats in rural and peri-urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Khowa

Tsvuura

Slotow

et al. 2023

Trop Anim Health Prod

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Goats are a common ruminant in livestock husbandry systems in communal areas of southern Africa, but less so in peri-urban areas. While dynamics of goat farming in the former are relatively well-understood, little is known about it in peri-urban environments. We investigated the contribution of small-scale farming of goats to household livelihoods in rural and peri-urban areas in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. We used a semi-structured questionnaire survey to elicit views of 115 respondents on the contribution of goats to household income at two rural (Kokstad, Msinga) and two peri-urban (Howick, Pietermaritzburg) locations. Goats contributed to household income as a source of cash and meat in various sociocultural contexts such as at weddings, funerals and festive period gatherings (e.g. Easter and Christmas), including payment for household needs and expenses including food, school fees and medico-cultural consultations. These findings were more pronounced in rural areas, where more goats were kept than in peri-urban areas, which also had smaller herds per household. Goats were a source of cash in numerous ways including sales of their skins after slaughter and use of skins through value addition to make household craft items such as stools that could be sold for cash. None of the farmers milked their goats. Goat famers also kept cattle (52%), sheep (23%) and chickens (67%). Goat ownership appeared to be more profitable in rural areas and contributed to a lesser extent as a source of income in peri-urban areas where goats were largely kept for sale. There is potential for increased value addition of goat products to increase returns from small-scale goat farming in rural and peri-urban settings. Artefacts and cultural symbols derived from goat products are pervasive amongst Zulu people, and represent an additional avenue of research into ‘hidden’ valuation of goats.

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Spatial variability of selected soil micronutrients under smallholder crop production in Zanyokwe, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cited by 16 publications

References 14 publications

Exploring local knowledge on soil quality indicators, climate variability, and farming productivity: a case of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Exploring local knowledge on soil quality indicators, climate variability, and farming productivity: a case of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Potential of microbes in the biofortification of Zn and Fe in dietary food grains. A review

The utilisation of domestic goats in rural and peri-urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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