Abstract
Fertility capability classification (FCC) system is a technical soil classification system focusing quantitatively on physical and chemical properties of soil important to soil fertility management. Lowland rice cultivation is a major activity in Cameroon, where demand for the commodity is increasing amidst increasing production constraints. This study was intended to classify lowland rice soils in major rice-growing areas into fertility capability classes, identify soil fertility limitations to increased lowland rice cultivation, and identify research areas needed to boost and sustain rice yields. Secondary data of selected soils characterized for morphological, physical and chemical properties was used. Soil fertility limitations characterizing lowland rice producing areas in Cameroon were: Fe- and Al-toxicities (a), low nutrient capital reserves (k), high leaching potential (e), and micronutrient deficiencies (Fe and Zn). The lowland soils were classified as: Lagk, Cagk, Laegk, Cbgm, Caeg, Lbg, Lgk, Cgv, LCg and Cgv, which reflect these limitations. A high potential exists to increase national rice production in Cameroon through research aimed at reducing the effects of Al and Fe toxicity, increasing nutrient capital reserves based on appropriate cultural and chemical techniques. Key words: Fertility capability classification, lowland rice, floodplains, Inland valleys, Cameroon.
Highlights
Feeding the world’s growing population in developing nations where drought and low soil fertility are primary constraints to food production is a serious challenge
Lowland rice cultivation is a major activity in Cameroon, where demand for the commodity is increasing amidst increasing production constraints
A high potential exists to increase national rice production in Cameroon through research aimed at reducing the effects of Al and Fe toxicity, increasing nutrient capital reserves based on appropriate cultural and chemical techniques
Summary
Feeding the world’s growing population in developing nations where drought and low soil fertility are primary constraints to food production is a serious challenge. Flood plains in river basins of many parts of the world have been used for agriculture because of their natural fertility (Verhoeven and Setter, 2010). In these plains and other wetlands, poorly managed cultivation resulted in their abandonment by cultivators because of soil fertility decline, erosion and desiccation (Babalola et al, 2011). Rice is consumed by most households in the tropics It is in increasing demand, implying that more land has to be put into cultivation. Fifty percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost to agriculture through expansion of agricultural land (Verhoeven and Setter, 2010)
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