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Consistency, variability, and predictability of on-farm nutrient responses in four grain legumes across east and west Africa

dc.contributor.authorvan Heerwaarden, J.
dc.contributor.authorRonner, E.
dc.contributor.authorBaijukya, F.
dc.contributor.authorAdjei-Nsiah, S.
dc.contributor.authorEbanyat, P.
dc.contributor.authorKamai, N.
dc.contributor.authorWolde-Meskel, E.
dc.contributor.authorVanlauwe, B.
dc.contributor.authorGiller, K.
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-06T09:55:28Z
dc.date.available2023-06-06T09:55:28Z
dc.date.issued2023-08
dc.identifier.citationvan Heerwaarden, J., Ronner, E., Baijukya, F., Adjei-Nsiah, S., Ebanyat, P., Kamai, N., ... & Giller, K. (2023). Consistency, variability, and predictability of on-farm nutrient responses in four grain legumes across east and west Africa. Field Crops Research, 299:108975, 1-11.
dc.identifier.issn0378-4290
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/8199
dc.description.abstractGrain legumes are key components of sustainable production systems in sub-Saharan Africa, but wide-spread nutrient deficiencies severely restrict yields. Whereas legumes can meet a large part of their nitrogen (N) requirement through symbiosis with N2-fixing bacteria, elements such as phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and secondary and micronutrients may still be limiting and require supplementation. Responses to P are generally strong but variable, while evidence for other nutrients tends to show weak or highly localised effects. Here we present the results of a joint statistical analysis of a series of on-farm nutrient addition trials, implemented across four legumes in four countries over two years. Linear mixed models were used to quantify both mean nutrient responses and their variability, followed by a random forest analysis to determine the extent to which such variability can be explained or predicted by geographic, environmental or farm survey data. Legume response to P was indeed variable, but consistently positive and we predicted application to be profitable for 67% of farms in any given year, based on prevailing input costs and grain prices. Other nutrients did not show significant mean effects, but considerable response variation was found. This response heterogeneity was mostly associated with local or temporary factors and could not be explained or predicted by spatial, biophysical or management factors. An exception was K response, which displayed appreciable spatial variation that could be partly accounted for by spatial and environmental covariables. While of apparent relevance for targeted recommendations, the minor amplitude of expected response, the large proportion of unexplained variation and the unreliability of the predicted spatial patterns suggests that such data-driven targeting is unlikely to be effective with current data.
dc.description.sponsorshipBill & Melinda Gates Foundation
dc.format.extent1-11
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectSoil Fertility
dc.subjectSub-Saharan Africa
dc.subjectNutrient Use Efficiency
dc.subjectGrain Legumes
dc.titleConsistency, variability, and predictability of on-farm nutrient responses in four grain legumes across east and west Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
cg.contributor.crpGrain Legumes
cg.contributor.crpRoots, Tubers and Bananas
cg.contributor.affiliationWageningen University and Research Centre
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture
cg.contributor.affiliationMakerere University
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Maiduguri
cg.contributor.affiliationWorld Agroforestry
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEast Africa
cg.coverage.regionWest Africa
cg.coverage.countryGhana
cg.coverage.countryNigeria
cg.coverage.countryTanzania
cg.coverage.countryUganda
cg.coverage.hubEastern Africa Hub
cg.coverage.hubHeadquarters and Western Africa Hub
cg.researchthemeNatural Resource Management
cg.identifier.bibtexciteidTIZE:2023b
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and developing country institute
cg.iitasubjectAgronomy
cg.iitasubjectFood Security
cg.iitasubjectGrain Legumes
cg.iitasubjectPlant Breeding
cg.iitasubjectPlant Production
cg.iitasubjectSoil Fertility
cg.journalField Crops Research
cg.notesOpen Access Article; Published online: 26 May 2023
cg.accessibilitystatusOpen Access
cg.reviewstatusPeer Review
cg.usagerightslicenseCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 0.0)
cg.targetaudienceScientists
cg.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2023.108975
cg.iitaauthor.identifierFrederick Baijukya: 0000-0003-2586-2013
cg.iitaauthor.identifierSamuel Adjei-Nsiah: 0000-0002-7394-4913
cg.iitaauthor.identifierbernard vanlauwe: 0000-0001-6016-6027
cg.futureupdate.requiredNo
cg.identifier.issue108975
cg.identifier.volume299


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