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    Assessing and understanding non-responsiveness of maize and soybean to fertilizer applications in African smallholder farms

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    Journal Article (3.889Mb)
    Date
    2021-01-01
    Author
    Roobroeck, D.
    Palm, C.A.
    Nziguheba, G.
    Weil, R.
    Vanlauwe, B.
    Type
    Journal Article
    Review Status
    Peer Review
    Target Audience
    Scientists
    Metadata
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    Abstract/Description
    Use of mineral fertilizers is essential to enhance crop productivity in smallholder farming systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, but various studies have reported ‘non-responsiveness’ where application of inorganic fertilizers does not lead to satisfactory yield gains. This phenomenon is not well defined nor are its extent and causes well understood. In order to close these knowledge gaps, we assessed the effects of commonly recommended nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) fertilizer inputs on maize grain and soybean production on farmer fields across prevalent land slope and/or soil texture gradients (2 × 2 matrix) in four agroecosystems over two growing seasons. The extent of the problem in the two cropping systems was compared by decomposing frequency distributions into various ranges of fertilizer effect sizes that represent specific degrees of non-responsiveness and responsiveness. Key soil properties and rainfall variables for field trials were also determined to identify the factors that are limiting crop yield increases by mineral fertilizer input. Significant differences were found in mean fertilizer effect on crop productivity and frequency of non-responsiveness among the study areas and growing seasons, with some explicit contrasts between maize and soybean. The application of mineral fertilizers failed to increase maize yields by more than 0.5 t ha−1 in up to 68 % of farmer fields and soybean yields by more than 150 kg ha−1 in up to 65 % of farmer fields for specific study areas and/or growing seasons, while for others crop responses exceeded those levels. Unlike hypothesized, there were no consistent differences in crop fertilizer responses between the soil texture and land slope classes at any of the study sites. The variation in fertilizer effects on maize grain productivity across the study areas and growing seasons was most strongly related to the soil silt and clay content, and exchangeable cation balances of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and K, whereas fertilizer effects on soybean were most strongly influenced by the evenness in rainfall during growing seasons, and the soil silt content, extractable P, and ratio of total C and total N. Findings from our study emphasize that non-responsiveness by maize and soybean crops in African smallholder agroecosystems is dependent on multiple interacting factors, and requires careful scrutiny to ensure returns on investments.
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107165
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/7736
    IITA Authors ORCID
    Dries Roobroeckhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3176-4444
    Generose Nziguhebahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4227-2242
    bernard vanlauwehttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6016-6027
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107165
    Research Themes
    Natural Resource Management
    IITA Subjects
    Agronomy; Grain Legumes; Maize; Nutrition; Plant Production; Smallholder Farmers; Soil Fertility; Soybean
    Agrovoc Terms
    Food Crops; Yields; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Potassium; Soil Properties; Sustainability; Intensification; Maize; Soybeans
    Regions
    Africa; Africa South of Sahara
    Countries
    Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Nigeria; Tanzania
    Hubs
    Central Africa Hub
    Journals
    Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles4835
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