Show simple item record

Long-term application of low C:N residues enhances maize yield and soil nutrient pools across Kenya

dc.contributor.authorSprunger, C.D.
dc.contributor.authorCulman, S.W.
dc.contributor.authorPalm, C.A.
dc.contributor.authorThuita, M.
dc.contributor.authorVanlauwe, B.
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-04T11:34:03Z
dc.date.available2019-12-04T11:34:03Z
dc.date.issued2019-06-05
dc.identifier.citationSprunger, C.D., Culman, S.W., Palm, C.A., Thuita, M. & Vanlauwe, B. (2019). Long-term application of low C: N residues enhances maize yield and soil nutrient pools across Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 114, 261–276
dc.identifier.issn1385-1314
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/5878
dc.description.abstractDeclines in soil fertility and limited access to inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer constrain crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. The incorporation of organic residues could increase nutrient mineralization and replenish soil carbon (C), however, the effect that long-term residue management (10+ years) has on maize (Zea mays L.) yields and soil nutrient pools (C and N) is largely unknown. In four identical long-term trials in Kenya that differ by soil type and climate, we compared maize yield and soil C (0–0.15 m) across four treatments comparing organic inputs of contrasting C:N ratios: tithonia [Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] + N (120 kg N ha−1); tithonia − N (0 kg N ha−1); maize stover + N (120 kg N ha−1); maize stover − N (0 kg N ha−1). On average, maize yields were 92% greater under tithonia compared to maize stover at the sandy sites and in general followed this trend: tithonia + N > tithonia − N = stover + N > stover − N. The continuous application of tithonia also increased soil C and N pools; for instance, mineralizable C was up to 57% greater than that of maize stover at the sandy sites. Increases in yield and nutrient pools under tithonia were less apparent at the clay sites. When exploring the relationship between soil C and maize yield, we found that both mineralizable and processed pools were related to agronomic performance. Our findings demonstrate that low C:N residues could significantly benefit crop production and enhance soil organic matter at sandy sites across Kenya.
dc.format.extent261-276
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsCopyrighted; all rights reserved
dc.subjectMaize
dc.subjectCrop Production
dc.subjectSoil Organic Matter
dc.subjectNutrients
dc.subjectCycling
dc.subjectAgroecosystems
dc.subjectSoil Fertility
dc.subjectAfrica South Of Sahara
dc.titleLong-term application of low C:N residues enhances maize yield and soil nutrient pools across Kenya
dc.typeJournal Article
dc.description.versionPeer Review
cg.contributor.crpAgriculture for Nutrition and Health
cg.contributor.crpMaize
cg.contributor.crpRoots, Tubers and Bananas
cg.contributor.crpGrain Legumes
cg.contributor.affiliationOhio State University
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEast Africa
cg.coverage.countryKenya
cg.creator.identifierMoses Thuita: 0000-0002-6731-9492
cg.creator.identifierbernard vanlauwe: 0000-0001-6016-6027
cg.researchthemeNATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and advanced research institute
cg.iitasubjectNatural Resource Management
cg.journalNutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
cg.howpublishedFormally Published
cg.accessibilitystatusLimited Access
local.dspaceid105788
cg.targetaudienceScientists
cg.identifier.doihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-10005-4


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name:
S19ArtSprungerLongtermInthomNo ...
Size:
943.1Kb
Format:
PDF
View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record