Show simple item record

Nitrogen release and synchrony in organic and conventional farming systems of the central highlands of Kenya

dc.contributor.authorMusyoka, M.W.
dc.contributor.authorAdamtey, N.
dc.contributor.authorBünemann, Else K.
dc.contributor.authorMuriuki, A.W.
dc.contributor.authorKaranja, E.N.
dc.contributor.authorMucheru-Muna, M.
dc.contributor.authorFiaboe, K.
dc.contributor.authorCadisch, Georg
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-04T11:33:11Z
dc.date.available2019-12-04T11:33:11Z
dc.date.issued2019-03-15
dc.identifier.citationMusyoka, M.W., Adamtey, N., Bünemann, E.K., Muriuki, A.W., Karanja, E.N., Mucheru-Muna, M., ... & Cadisch, G. (2019). Nitrogen release and synchrony in organic and conventional farming systems of the central highlands of Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 1-23.
dc.identifier.issn1385-1314
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/5542
dc.description.abstractTo match Nitrogen (N) supply to crop N demand, it is essential to understand N release and uptake patterns in different farming systems and crops. To assesses the dynamics of N released in organic and conventional systems and potential synchrony and asynchrony in crop N uptake, a study was conducted over three cropping seasons (potato, maize and leafy vegetables) at two sites in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Mineral-N release and synchrony were monitored in conventional and organic systems at high (recommended N, P, pesticides and irrigation) and low input (low N, P, pesticide use and rainfed) systems. Mineral-N release was assessed using in situ buried bags and N synchrony was measured by the daily differences in N fluxes. The percentage of N applied released during potato (38%) and vegetable (44%) cropping seasons were similar between systems. However, under maize strong temporal N immobilization from inputs occurred, particularly at Thika, related to the poor quality of manure and compost (lignin:N ratio > 13). In all systems, excess-asynchrony of available N was pronounced during vegetative stages and at harvest, while insufficient-asynchrony occurred at reproductive stages. During potato cropping season at Thika, Org-High showed highest positive N fluxes (> 20 kg N ha−1 day−1) at planting and tuber bulking stage. At early stages of maize and vegetables Org-Low and Org-High experienced up to 5 times larger negative N fluxes (insufficiency) compared to conventional treatments at Chuka site. The study recommends reducing N applications at planting and increasing N dosages at reproductive stages of crops.
dc.description.sponsorshipBiovision Foundation
dc.description.sponsorshipLiechtenstein Development Service
dc.description.sponsorshipSwiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
dc.format.extent1-23
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsCopyrighted; all rights reserved
dc.subjectIncubation
dc.subjectMineralization
dc.subjectOrganic
dc.subjectInputs
dc.subjectQuality
dc.titleNitrogen release and synchrony in organic and conventional farming systems of the central highlands of Kenya
dc.typeJournal Article
dc.description.versionPeer Review
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Hohenheim
cg.contributor.affiliationResearch Institute of Organic Agriculture
cg.contributor.affiliationKenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
cg.contributor.affiliationKenyatta University
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEast Africa
cg.coverage.countryKenya
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and developing country institute
cg.journalNutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
cg.howpublishedFormally Published
cg.accessibilitystatusLimited Access
local.dspaceid104547
cg.targetaudienceScientists
cg.identifier.doihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-09978-z


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name:
S19ArtMusyokaNitrogenInthomDev.pdf
Size:
559.0Kb
Format:
PDF
View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record