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    Application of secondary nutrients and micronutrients increases crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa

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    U17ArtKiharaApplicationInthomDev.pdf (1.817Mb)
    Date
    2017-07-03
    Author
    Kihara, Job
    Sileshi, Gudeta W.
    Nziguheba, Generose
    Kinyua, Michael
    Zingore, Shamie
    Sommer, Rolf
    Type
    Journal Article
    Target Audience
    Scientists
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    Abstract/Description
    Secondary and micronutrients are important in enhancing crop productivity; yet, they are hardly studied in sub-Sahara Africa. In this region, the main focus has been on macronutrients but there is emerging though scattered evidence of crop productivity limitations by the secondary and micronutrients. Elsewhere, widespread deficiencies of these nutrients are associated with stagnation of yields. Here, we undertake a meta-analysis using 40 articles reporting crop response to secondary and micronutrients to (1) determine the productivity increase of crops and nutrient use efficiency associated with these nutrients, and (2) provide synthesis of responses to secondary nutrients and micronutrients in sub-Sahara Africa. This study used 757 yield data rows (530 from publications and 227 from Africa Soil Information Service) from field trials carried out in SSA between 1969 and 2013 in 14 countries. Data from publications constituted response to S (49.4%), Zn (23.0%), S and micronutrient combinations (11.5%), and <10% each for Cu, Mo, Fe, and B. Data from Africa Soil Information Service were all for S and micronutrient combinations. Of the two sources, most yield data are for maize (73.6%), followed by sorghum (6.7%) and wheat (6.1%) while rice, cowpea, faba bean, tef, and soybean each accounted for less than 5%. The major points are the following: (1) application of S and micronutrients increased maize yield by 0.84 t ha−1 (i.e., 25%) over macronutrient only treatment and achieved agronomic efficiencies (kilograms of grain increase per kilogram of micronutrient added) between 38 and 432 and (2) response ratios were >1 for S and all micronutrients, i.e., the probability of response ratio exceeding 1 was 0.77 for S and 0.83 for Zn, 0.95 for Cu, and 0.92 for Fe, and indicates positive crop response for a majority of farmers. We conclude that S and micronutrients are holding back crop productivity especially on soils where response to macronutrients is low and that more research is needed to unravel conditions under which application of S and micronutrients may pose financial risks.
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0431-0
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/1928
    Non-IITA Authors ORCID
    Job Kiharahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4394-9553
    Rolf Sommerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7599-9056
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0431-0
    Agrovoc Terms
    Agronomic Efficiency; Surphur; Yields; Micronutrients; Productivity; Azufre; Rendimiento; África Al Sur Del Sahara; Micronutrientes; Productividad
    Regions
    Africa; Africa South Of Sahara
    Journals
    Agronomy for Sustainable Development
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles5283
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