Declining Soil Fertility Research Articles

How does participation in Ghana’s fertilizer subsidy program (GFSP) affect the adoption of sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) and gross farm inputs?

ABSTRACT Technology adoption is key to overcoming climate-related risks to smallholder farmers and declining soil fertility in sub-Sahara Africa. This study estimates the effect of participation in Ghana’s Fertilizer Subsidy Program (GFSP) on the adoption intensity of Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIPs) and gross farm inputs, using a nationally representative dataset of 4365 maize-growing households for two survey periods (2012/2013) and (2016/2017). The study finds that participation in the GFSP increases the adoption intensity in both SIPs and gross farm inputs. The study also finds that mutual aid schemes, farmer cooperatives, agricultural loans, household wealth, and connection of a farm household dwelling to the national electricity grid positively and significantly increase adoption intensity of SIPs and gross farm inputs. Improving access to the GFSP among poor farm households, provision of rural electrification, strengthening and resourcing enabling factors (such as mutual aid schemes and farmer cooperatives) at the local level can facilitate Ghana’s drive towards a sustainable agricultural production.

Toward Soil Nutrient Security for Improved Agronomic Performance and Increased Resilience of Taro Production Systems in Samoa

A progressive decline in soil fertility in taro (Colocasia esculenta L., Schott) production systems has contributed to reduced crop productivity and farm profitability, and is recognized to be a threat to soil nutrient and food security in Samoa. Evidence based on three years of field experimentation showed that appropriate nutrient budgeting is required to reduce soil nutrient deficits and mitigate soil organic carbon loss. Balanced crop nutrition coupled with appropriate crop husbandry can significantly improve productivity and narrow yield gaps. A framework to guide nutrient recommendations for taro production systems is presented and discussed. This framework proposes that recommendations for N be derived from the yield-to-N response function (from which the most economic rate of N can be estimated) and that for other nutrients, namely P, K, Ca, and Mg, recommendations be based on replacement. The replacement strategy requires the development of soil nutrient indexes, which can be used to define the long-term nutrient management policy at the field scale. This long-term policy is informed by soil analyses, and it will determine whether existing soil nutrient levels are to be maintained or increased depending on the focus (productivity, profitability, environmental protection). If soil nutrients were already at an agronomically satisfactory level, their application may be omitted in some years to help reduce crop production costs, improve use efficiency, and ensure environmentally safe levels in soil are not exceeded.

“Sedentarisation” of transhumant pastoralists results in privatization of resources and soil fertility decline in West Africa's cotton belt

Transhumant pastoralism is an ancient natural resource management system traditionally connecting ecosystems across north-south precipitation gradients in West Africa. As rural population grew, several governments in the region have promoted their settlement, i.e., the “sedentarisation” of nomadic pastoral peoples to avoid conflict over land use and access to resources with local sedentary populations. Former transhumant pastoralists settled down and started growing crops using the manure of their livestock. This led to the dwindling of traditional agreements and exchanges (manure against crop residues) between pastoralists and agriculturalists, that resulted in less nutrients flowing between livestock, food crops and the main cash crop in the region: cotton. As a consequence, soil fertility declined, grazing areas are overexploited, and crop production is increasingly dependent on mineral fertilizers, which are produced outside the region, exposing the livelihood of local farmers to the volatility of international (oil) markets. How do local farmers perceive the effect of this virtual “privatization” of natural resources? Is the production of cotton, a main agricultural export of west African countries, a viable option in this new situation? What does this imply for the research and policy agendas to support agricultural development? We explored these questions through engaging in discussion with farmers, herders and extension agents in three cotton growing zones of Benin.

Analysis of NPK nutrient content and the nutrient balance of cassava for sustainable high productivity in Ultisols soil

The decline in soil fertility and productivity has been a problem in cassava cultivation. The plant biomass transported from cassava fields at harvest losses several nutrients. This study aimed to determine the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) nutrient content of plant parts of cassava and the nutrient balance. The cassava varieties of UK1 Agritan, Malang 4, Barokah, UJ-5, and Mangu were grown in 3 replications using a completely randomized design. Two harvesting methods, the farmer’s harvest method (FHM) and the harvest method introduced (HMI) were applied. The FHM transported all tuber and other plant parts biomass, and the HMI transported all tuber and 60% of the stem from the cassava field. Each replication was one row of plants 20 m long and a spacing of 1 m. The cassava fertilized at 169 kg N, 84 kg P, and 170 kg K per hectare in grooves around the plant. The leaves of the five varieties contain higher N, P, and K than the petiole, stem, and tuber. At harvest, the N and P nutrients were mainly transported from the leaves, and K nutrients from the tubers. For a yield of 40 tons ha-1 fresh tubers, the FMI resulted in an average nutrient balance for N (-222 kg ha-1) and K (-103 kg ha-1) and P (48 kg ha-1), the HMI resulted in an average nutrient balance of 305 kg N, 56 kg P, and 82 kg K per hectare. The HMI is recommended for sustainable soil fertility and high productivity of the cassava field

Carolina's Golden Fields: Inland Rice Cultivation in the South Carolina Lowcountry, 1670–1860

In Carolina's Golden Fields, Hayden Smith delivers a long overdue assessment of inland rice culture's importance to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Due to a dearth of primary sources and the fact that most inland rice fields have been lost to reforestation and development, historians have overlooked inland rice cultivation or have viewed it as a primitive stage of rice cultivation when compared to tidal cultivation. Rather, as Smith's work demonstrates, inland rice cultivation required planters and enslaved laborers to exercise precise knowledge of topography and hydrology to render their harvests profitable. The utilization of this knowledge began when free and enslaved Carolinians experimented with rice alongside other grains as a subsistence crop, first relying on the “providence” method and then realizing the advantages of impervious soils and water management. Using Pooshee, Newington, and Charleywood plantations as examples in chapter 2, Smith demonstrates how rice planters and enslaved laborers adapted to and manipulated varied microenvironments to make cultivation successful and ultimately create a foundation for South Carolina's colonial economy and the expansion of slavery. With the foundation set in the first decades of the eighteenth century, land acquisition and a stable market prompted rice planters to engage in ever more elaborate schemes for irrigation and drainage that mirrored new strategies being used for tidal cultivation. As Smith discusses in chapter 3, this intensive stage of development resulted in higher profits, increased demand for labor, and susceptibility to malaria, freshets, and declining soil fertility. Consequently, planters increasingly perceived the environment as unhealthy and downright hostile.Nevertheless, inland rice cultivation persisted throughout the antebellum period and contributed to the evolution of the Lowcountry's agricultural regime. Focusing on four Wando River plantations in chapter 4, Smith notes how rice planters expanded their landholdings in the post–Revolutionary War era in order to access water and have enslaved laborers construct reservoirs and canals. Smith's microanalysis of each plantation illuminates his earlier theme that this work required knowledge of topography and hydrology to make rice cultivation profitable. It also involved constant experimentation with planting strategies to maintain crop yields. For some planters, successful inland rice cultivation also provided a potential avenue into the Lowcountry aristocracy. Locked out of the more expensive tidal plantation market, social aspirants like Mathurin Gibbs and John Irving saw inland rice as a means to establish their status as planters. As chapter 5 makes clear, despite ambition and the knowledge of experienced overseers, their efforts were frustrated by environmental limitations and small labor forces. Indeed, Gibbs succumbed to malaria in 1849. Yet agricultural reformers espoused inland rice as a way to diversify their planting portfolio when the fertility of their cotton lands declined in the two decades preceding the Civil War. In chapter 6, Smith focuses on Middle Saint John's Berkeley Parish where the Black Oak Agricultural Society promoted scientific experimentation and planters had access to the numerous inland swamps and freshwater springs in Biggin Basin. These reform efforts never amounted to much, but the attempt to revive inland rice testified to its persistence as a symbol of economic salvation.With emancipation, large-scale rice cultivation collapsed and former inland rice lands returned to forest. Purchased by timber companies or converted to subdivisions in the twentieth century, little remains of the inland rice infrastructure that Smith describes throughout the book. However, drawing from plantation ledgers, manuscripts, agricultural journals, deeds and plats, geological and archaeological reports, and myriad other primary and secondary sources, Smith rescues inland rice cultivation from obscurity and gives it a central place in South Carolina's environmental history. Moreover, Hayden Smith has walked the land he describes, and Carolina's Golden Fields exemplifies his intimate knowledge of the Lowcountry, past and present, as well as his skill as a historian. His astute attention to the terrain of forest and history make this a readable, informed, and important contribution to the historiography of rice, slavery, and the environment.

Climate-induced migration among maize farmers in Ghana: A reality or an illusion?

Studies on climate change-migration nexus have generally assumed that all climatic conditions trigger migration in the same direction without a differentiated understanding of which conditions drive migration of rural farmers or otherwise. This study examines climate change-migration nexus in Ghana by using data collected from 500 maize farmers. Observed errors in the data were corrected through a propensity score matching (PSM) technique. Location was endogenously related to migration, with the unobserved errors corrected by implementing a two-stage Heckit probit model. The results show that drought and decrease in rainfall are climatic conditions likely to trigger migration. However, floods and decline in soil fertility are less likely to induce migration. Also, farming experience, access to credit, participation in climate-smart agriculture training, access to extension services, and information from extension agents influenced the present location of maize farmers. These push factors identified were corroborated in focus group discussions. The study recommends that policymakers, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders should first understand and appreciate the deafferented roles of diverse climatic conditions on migrations, and then support farmers to adopt appropriate long-term climate change adaptation strategies to address perennial climatic factors that affect livelihoods. While doing so, short-term measures such as scaling up access to climate services should be devised to adapt to climate change.

Response of Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities to Near-Natural Forest Management and Tree Species within Chinese Fir Plantations.

Near-natural forest management plays an important role in the maintenance of the long-term productivity and soil fertility of plantations. We conducted high-throughput absolute quantitative sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to compare the structures and diversity of rhizosphere soil bacterial communities among a pure Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation (S), a Cunninghamia lanceolata-Castanopsis hystrix-Michelia hedyosperma mixed plantation (SHX), and a Cunninghamia lanceolata-Castanopsis fissa mixed plantation (SD). The results revealed that near-natural forest management improved the rhizosphere soil properties of Chinese fir, especially the phosphorus content. Rhizosphere soil bacterial communities of Chinese fir in SHX and SD contained higher total absolute abundances and more unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) than the pure plantation forest. Planctomycetes and Actinobacteria were abundant in SD, and Actinobacteria were enriched in SHX. The tree species also had an impact on the rhizosphere soil bacterial communities. For the rhizosphere soils of different tree species of SHX, the available phosphorus (AP) content of the rhizosphere of Chinese fir significantly surpassed those of Castanopsis hystrix and Michelia hedyosperma. Bacteria related to nitrogen fixing, such as Burkholderiales and Rhizobiales, were more abundant in Chinese fir in SD than in Castanopsis fissa. Acdiobacteria and Proteobacteria underpinned the differences found in the compositions of soil bacteria. The pH and soil organic matter were key variables influencing the rhizosphere soil bacterial communities. Our results demonstrated that in Chinese fir plantations, 12 years of near-natural management of introduced broad-leaved tree species can drive alterations of the physicochemical characteristics, bacterial community structure, and composition of rhizosphere soil, with tree species identity further influencing the rhizosphere soil bacterial community. IMPORTANCE Near-natural forest management is an important way to change the soil fertility decline and productivity reduction of pure Chinese fir plantations. At present, many detailed studies have been carried out on the impact of near-natural forest management on Chinese fir plantations at home and abroad. However, there are still few studies on the response of rhizosphere bacterial communities to near-natural forest management. Our study determined absolute quantities of Chinese fir rhizosphere bacterial communities in different mixed patterns. The results underscore the importance of near-natural forest management for Chinese fir plantation rhizosphere bacterial communities and provide new information on soil factors that affect rhizosphere bacterial communities in South China.

Simultaneous electrokinetic removal and in situ electrochemical degradation of a high nitrogen accumulated greenhouse soil

High nitrogen (N) concentration in farmland soil can easily cause the eutrophication of water bodies and a decline in soil fertility. As a new technology for quick in-situ nitrate restoration strategy, electrokinetic remediation has high efficiency, reliability, and competitive economic feasibility. However, the traditional electrokinetic remediation configuration will cause excessive acidification and alkalization of soil. The treatment of produced nitrogenous waste liquid was also necessary. In this study, the optimal design by the cation exchange membrane was adopted to solve the problems of soil over-acidification (pH<4) and over-alkalization (pH>10) caused by traditional electrokinetic remediation technology. Adding NaCl to the electrolyte, the anodic oxidation of ammonium was promoted, and the concentration of N in the electrolyte was reduced. Citric acid was added to stabilize pH and promote the conversion of NO3−-N. The removal efficiency of NO3−-N in the soil could reach 90%, 93%, and 97%, respectively, after 5, 10, and 15 days of electrokinetic treatment. The NO3−-N concentration in the processing solution was below 4 mg/L, the NH4+-N concentration was less than the method detection line, the total nitrogen concentration was not more than 8 mg/L, and the N in the waste liquid did not need secondary treatment. This study revealed the electrochemical behavior of nitrate on stainless steel electrodes, indicating that active chlorine can promote the anodic oxidation process of NH4+. At the same time, it was found that citric acid positively affected nitrate transformation. Based on the clarification of the transport and transformation mechanism, this study inspired optimizing our existing electric remediation technology to solve the problem of high N-accumulation in soils.

Soil conservation and smallholder welfare under cassava‐based systems in Thailand

AbstractLand degradation, declining soil fertility, and erosion continue to plague agricultural production in many developing countries. In response to these farm production constraints and environmental challenges, a range of soil conservation technologies and practices have been developed and disseminated to tackle soil nutrient and fertility declines. However, evidence on the association between soil conservation, farm performance, and smallholder welfare is scarce. In this study, we examine the relationship between soil conservation, farm performance, and welfare outcomes of smallholder cassava farmers in Thailand. We use a farm household survey of 602 cassava growers and apply a doubly robust multivalued treatment effect estimator to estimate the relationship between soil conservation, farm performance, and welfare as well as the observable characteristics associated with the use of soil conservation practices. We observe a positive association between the use of soil conservation practices and cassava yields which is most likely associated with higher‐income streams. Similar insights are also observed for other welfare outcomes such as asset accumulation, including livestock which represents rural wealth to a considerable extent. The positive association between soil conservation and livestock ownership hints at some form of rural diversification. Given these insights, our analysis supports and gives credence to initiatives that promote the adoption of soil conservation as they are not only pro‐poor but also environmentally friendly with significant concerns for ecological safeguards.

Socioeconomic Evaluation of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivation in Providing Sustainable Livelihood to the Mountain Populations of Kashmir Himalayas.

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is the major pulse cultivated and culturally inculcated in the food habits of the locals in the Himalayan mountainous region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. The current study was designed to investigate the role of P. vulgaris cultivation in providing livelihood support and to evaluate its production and consumption patterns correlated with the household variables in the state of AJK. The socio-economic data was collected from nine bean cultivated areas in six districts of AJK. The data was acquired by administrating a total of 522 detailed semi structured questionnaires from a diverse array of the respondents following the snowball technique focusing on yield, consumption, revenue generation and livelihood support provided by bean cultivation. The results revealed that common bean cultivation provided significant livelihood support to the local mountainous populations with an average annual income of 50.80 $/family. Subsequently, bean production contributed an average annual per capita income of 6.81 $ in the area, which was attributed to the large family size. Local populations showed an average bean production of 33.93 kg/family, whereas the average annual bean consumption was recorded as 31.99 kg/family in the region. Bean crops were recorded to have an average price of $1.49/kg, with significant variations in the study area correlated with local yield. A data analysis indicated a strong correlation in bean production and consumption patterns. Common bean farmers had a very small farm size, averaging 0.24 ha, where 100% of farmers cultivated common beans as an intercrop with Maize as the primary crop. A Pearson’s test (p value < 0.05) revealed significant correlations between land holding and bean production as well as consumption, and bean production with annual per capita income. Small farm size, declining soil fertility, low bean pricing and the unavailability of market mechanisms were identified as the major challenges faced by the common bean farmers. It is recommended to employ an integrated bean farming approach to enhance the economic impact of common bean cultivation in the socioeconomic appraisal of the local populations.

Use of inorganic fertilizer on climate-smart crops improves smallholder farmers' livelihoods: Evidence from Western Kenya

The main challenges facing smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are soil fertility decline and climate change, culminating in increased food insecurity. The double effect of climate change and soil fertility decline could be devastating among the poor rural smallholder farmers, who solely depend on rain-fed agriculture with little investment in adaptive mechanisms. Using inorganic fertilizers and careful selection of climate-resilient crops such as sorghum could improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through improved soil health and crop yields. However, information on the effects of inorganic fertilizer on sorghum production remains uncertain, especially in SSA. We evaluated the effects of inorganic fertilizers on sorghum yields among smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected data from 300 smallholder sorghum farmers. We employed a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect data from the specific smallholder farmers from the target population. We employed endogenous switching regression (ESR) modeling to control observed and unobserved bias in predicting the effects of inorganic fertilizer use on productivity. Smallholder farmers applied a limited amount of inorganic fertilizer. We established that hired labor, agricultural training, and farmers' perception of soil erosion were significant positive determinants of inorganic fertilizer use. Location and access to weather forecast information were key negative determinants of inorganic fertilizer use. The use of inorganic fertilizer increased crop yields by 14%. The findings suggested that inorganic amendments could promote food security and improve purchasing power, thus enhancing smallholder farmers' capacity to cope with declining soil fertility and climate change-related challenges. Therefore, agricultural policies targeting improved productivity of smallholder sorghum farmers could enhance inorganic fertilizer use while considering the determinants.

Avifauna Loss Driven by Habitat Degradation in Ethiopia

Biodiversity refers to varieties of taxa in ecosystems. Futile land use could deteriorate environmental quality, and loss of prime agricultural lands, and this, in turn, cause loss of wildlife habitat. Anthropogenic impacts have been bringing a dramatic change to nature due to the growing trends of the human population of the present time which give rise to an increase in the use of natural resources. Ethiopia faces serious environmental challenges including climate change and aspects of ecosystem degradation such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and soil fertility decline. Land degradation costs Ethiopia about 4.3 billion dollars per year and deforestation is the main cause of biodiversity loss. Henceforth, this work aimed at reviewing on effects of human-induced factors on biodiversity and conservation challenges in selected National Parks of Ethiopia. The major causes of bird extinction are direct hunting for food and traditional uses and indirect using habitat destruction and climate changes. This work analyzed that there were anthropogenic-induced threats entailing the loss of species and environmental degradation and depletion occur mainly due to anthropogenic impacts as human numbers increase. In a conclusive, effectsdriven human involvement was seen as the major factor impairing the diversity of avifauna in Ethiopia. Research-driven policies fostering the lasting conservation of avifauna are highly needed. The attempts of conserving and maintaining a healthy bird population and their habitats would preserve diverse ecosystem services by benefiting many different living species and finally human well-being.

ANALISIS KORELASI SIFAT BIOLOGI DAN KIMIA TANAH PADA BERBAGAI TIPE PENGGUNAAN LAHAN DI KABUPATEN BOGOR

Land use in Bogor Regency has diverse vegetation and different soil characteristics. Soil characteristics have an influence on land management. Improper land management has led to a decrease in microbial populations, biodiversity and a decline in soil quality and fertility. Soil fertility is produced by the interaction of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. This study aims to determine the correlation of soil biological and chemical properties in several different types of land use in Bogor Regency. Soil sampling was carried out using the purposive random sampling method with five replicates. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 cm by ±1 kg. The research site includes eight land uses namely bamboo gardens, sengon gardens, lamtorogung gardens, and dragon fruit orchards. The results of the analysis showed that the dragon fruit field had an acid pH with very high organic C and total N levels with the highest fungal population of 2.27 x 105 CFU g-1. Meanwhile, bamboo fields with an acid pH also have a medium organic C content and low total N with the lowest total fungi population of 0.37 x 105 CFU g-1. Azotobacter populations and respiration values had the highest correlation with the total P content of the soil. The correlation value of the total population of fungi was the highest, with a total N levels of 0.427.

The role of integrated soil fertility management in improving crop yields in the Ethiopian Highlands

Summary Land degradation and declining productivity in the Ethiopian Highlands are primarily caused by soil fertility decline due to erosion, nutrient depletion, and soil acidity. An integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) project operating over a six-year period aimed to combat this and boost yields through participatory demonstrations. Despite high levels of yield variability expected from a farmer-managed observational study over a wide area, results show that crop yields increased with increased use of ISFM. Detailed statistical analysis using multiple linear regression models explained the contribution of individual practices. Use of improved varieties and line-seeding rather than broadcasting were consistently and highly significant. The contribution of inorganic blended fertiliser was less clear, probably due to low soil organic matter and use on acidic soils, although response to nitrogen was highly significant. The contribution of organic fertilisers was less than expected, possibly due to soil disturbance from farmer practices of multiple ploughing. Responses to crop residue management and agroforestry practices were significant on most crops reflecting their importance in improving soil water management, soil organic matter and recycling nutrients. Response to lime application on acid soils was highly significant confirming the importance of correcting acidity. Unexplained differences are attributed to the additive effects of using several ISFM treatments as well as unrecorded beneficial farmer management practices. It can be concluded that ISFM can play an essential role in improving productivity, addressing food insecurity and the challenges of climate change. Further expansion will require advocacy, awareness-raising, field-level extension and involvement of the private sector.

Impact of integrated soil fertility management practices on maize yield in Ethiopia

Today, declining soil fertility is the main biophysical constraint to improve crop yield and poses a potential threat to food security. This study aims to explore the elements that could influence the adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices as well as their impact on maize yield. This study is based on a pseudo-panel collected by Ethiopia's central statistical agency (CSA) in collaboration with the World Bank. A Multinomial Endogenous Switching Regression model (MESR) was employed to achieve the specified objectives. The findings revealed that 15% of plots received no soil fertility-enhancing treatments, while 35% received a combination of inorganic fertilizer and manure to boost soil fertility. The average maize yield in the study was 3.44 tons per hectare, which was nearly equal to the average national yield in the prior year. Finally, maize yield was significantly influenced by soil fertility management measures, whether used alone or in combination of two or more soil fertility enhancing technologies. The extent of the impact, however, varies significantly depending on the inputs employed. Thus, using manure or compost alone had a moderate but significant impact on maize yield, but using inorganic fertilizer in combination with manure had the biggest impact. Therefore, policies that support the expansion of ISFM practices should be promoted. Farm households also receive technical assistance and training to better understand the use of ISFM practices, and policies that promote them should be expanded.

Profitability Analysis and Input Use Efficiency of Maize Cultivation in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

Maize farmers in Bangladesh are unaware of the benefits of maize cultivation due to a lack of information and concept generation. The objectives of this study were to estimate the cost and return of maize cultivation; assess the input use efficiency of maize cultivation for marginal, small, and medium maize production to address the problems; and suggest policy recommendations. The study was conducted in six villages in the Chuadanga district in Bangladesh. Data were collected by using an interview schedule from the purposively selected 80 respondents during 1–30 June 2018. After analyzing the data, the total cost of production was Tk. 124,495, Tk. 134,335, and Tk. 140,579 for marginal, small, and medium maize production, respectively. Per hectare gross return was Tk. 213,997, Tk. 204,972, and Tk. 197,163, and per hectare gross margin was Tk. 120,478, Tk. 104,748, and Tk. 92,516. Net return was calculated by deducting the gross cost from the gross return, and these were Tk. 89,502, Tk. 70,637, and Tk. 56,584. The benefit–cost ratio was 1.72, 1.53, and 1.40 for marginal, small, and medium maize production, respectively. From Cobb–Douglas production function analysis, it was observed that the coefficients of land preparation cost, irrigation cost, urea, and MoP cost were significant at different levels of probability for marginal, small, and medium maize production, and the coefficients of human labor cost, seed and pesticide used was not significant while the coefficients of TSP was negative and significant. This study also identified some of the problems associated with maize production. The findings revealed that the high price of inputs was the most acute problem, followed by a lack of technical knowledge and shortage of human labor at the critical stage, and declining soil fertility was the last obstacle that stood in the way of maize production in the study area.

Growth and Yield of Okra Exposed to a Consortium of Rhizobacteria with Different Organic Carriers under Controlled and Natural Field Conditions

Crop yields, soil fertility, and soil quality decline due to the overuse of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals. The damaging effects of these agrochemicals on the environment can be minimized by integration with eco-friendly approaches, i.e., biofertilizers. These eco-friendly biofertilizers containing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, (PGPR) not only solubilize mineral nutrients for crop uptake but also release phytohormones for their growth improvements. The objective of this research is to use these PGPR’s capacity to promote growth in order to increase okra production. For this purpose, different organic carriers were used, i.e., Press mud, Charcoal, Biochar, Peat, and Compost for PGPR’s inoculation. Before being used as a consortium with various carrier materials, the pre-isolated and characterized PGPR strains (AN-35, ZM-27, and ZM-63) were tested for compatibility against one another. The PGPR consortium and carriers were applied in the following treatments, i.e., T0: (control), T1: PGPR, T2: Peat + PGPR, T3: Pressmud+ PGPR, T4: Compost + PGPR, T5: Charcoal + PGPR, and T6: Biochar + PGPR in the present pot and field studies. Under the pot experiment, the results depicted that all treatments showed a significant increase in okra growth, nutrient contents, and yield of okra along with increasing the microbial biomass in the soil but the treatment containing PGPR consortium with peat caused the maximum increase. Similarly, the results of the field experiment also showed a significant increase under all treatments but the maximum increase in nutrient contents, growth attributes, and yield of okra was found under the treatment containing PGPR consortium with peat (T2). Therefore, this study recommends the use of peat and studied the PGPR consortium as a suitable carrier to develop carrier-based biofertilizers for sustainable okra production.

Household vulnerability and adaptive capacity on impacts of climate change and adaptability solution in Soroti District, Uganda

Abstract. Ogallo EA, Wambua BN, Mukhovi MS. 2022. Household vulnerability and adaptive capacity on impacts of climate change and adaptability solution in Soroti District, Uganda. Intl J Trop Drylands 6: 63-76. This study aimed to assess the vulnerabilities, impacts, and adaptation strategies of households in the Soroti District, Uganda. The data from household surveys, interviews with key informants, and focused group discussions were used to obtain data on climate change and variability impacts, adaptation strategies, and vulnerability. The rainfall and temperature data from Soroti meteorological station was also used to determine climate variability and change. The Microsoft Excel 2007 and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16 program entered all the quantitative data. The results were then represented in tables, graphs, and charts. The temperature and rainfall analysis show that the area's climate has recently changed. These scenarios were confirmed by people's perception, along with increased drought, floods, and incidences of diseases and pests. That could have serious implications for agriculture, the major source of livelihood within the district. For instance, the delay of the 2013 March-April-May (MAM) rainfall onset and extended dry spell between the seasons led to subsequent poor harvests and serious crop failure. Other major impacts of climate change and variability on livelihoods include low fish catches, decreased water availability, lack of animal feeds, and decline in soil fertility. Although the entire district is vulnerable to the impact of climate change and variability, vulnerability is heightened for women, children, the poor, and the less educated. However, the residents have adopted certain coping and adaptation strategies to deal with the climate change impacts. The current coping strategies include selling household assets, wage labor, petty trading, and reducing consumption. Adaptation strategies include shifting planting dates, off-farm jobs, planting different crops, diversifying crops, and diversifying from farm to non–farm activities. However, these strategies are insufficient due to overarching stressors such as over-dependence on rainfed agriculture, poverty, and lack of information and technology. Moreover, there is an urgent need to alleviate poverty and unemployment within the district by creating employment opportunities for the locals and enhancing the micro-financing efficiency to improve resilience and adaptation to climate change and variability. There is also a need for robust contingency planning and the relevant institutions' involvement in early warning. Local knowledge integration in climate policies also could enhance resilience and improve adaptation.

Influence of blended NPSB fertilizer on nodulation and yield performance of Rhizobium inoculated common bean varieties in acidic soil, western Ethiopia

The decline of soil fertility and limited adaptive cultivars are some of the factors that affect crop production. This study aimed to examine the response of Rhizobium inoculated common bean varieties to NPSB fertilizer application for nodulation, yield, and yield related traits. Three varieties of common bean (Local, Loko, and Nasir) were combined with four rates of blended NPSB (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1) fertilizers in randomized complete block design with three replications arranged factorially. The result revealed significantly highest number of total nodules (53.7), effective nodules per plant (35.54), number of pods per plant (7.4), plant stand count (87%), biomass (17.5 t ha1), seed yield (2996 kg ha1), and harvest index (16.67%) were recorded at the rate of 100 kg ha−1 NPSB which was 183%, 60%, 100%, 19%, 56%, 112%, and 33.3% increment over the control, respectively. Nodules fresh weight and nodules dry weight per plant showed 188% and 344.8% improvement over control, respectively. Nassir variety was higher in nodulation and yield, while Loko variety had long rooting which has implication on nitrogen fixation and plant nutrition. Thus, the result suggests that highest seed yield was achieved from variety Nasir (2996 kg ha−1) with 100 kg ha−1 blended NPSB combination producing net benefit ha−1 of 79,245.78 ETB (Ethiopian Birr).

Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of municipal solid waste compost in two agro-ecological zones of Uganda

BackgroundDeteriorating soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural production and food security among smallholder farmers in Uganda and throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of the population relies on subsistence farming for its livelihoods.Unfortunately, inorganic fertiliser used as a significant soil nutrient replenishment is unsustainable, causing adverse environmental effects, including soil acidification and pollution of water bodies. Therefore, finding alternative, more sustainable, low-cost nutrient management systems is vital. This study assessed the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) in a 36 weeks litter bag experiment under field conditions in two agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Uganda.ResultsWe found a higher rate of decomposition in the South-western Grass Farmlands (SGF) agro-ecological zone (0.041 week−1, with 20% of initial compost mass remaining after 36 weeks of decay) compared to Southern and Eastern Lake Kyoga Basin (SEKB) (0.043 week−1, 32% of initial litter mass remaining). The half-life values were 16 and 17 weeks for SGF and SEKB AEZs, respectively. The nutrient release rates differed between the two study sites. The macronutrient release pattern in both sites followed the order K > P > N. The secondary macronutrients release followed the order Ca > Mg in the SGF, while in SEKB, the order was reversed. The micronutrients followed the order Cu > Mn > Fe > Zn and Cu > Mn > Zn > Fe in SGF and SEKB AEZs, respectively. The MSWC mass loss during decomposition was negatively correlated with rainfall in both AEZs and with temperature in SGF AEZ, while it was positively correlated with temperature in SEKB AEZ. However, the relationship with nutrient release rates was inconsistent in both AEZs.ConclusionsOur results showed consistent release of nutrients in all AEZs throughout the study period, which coincides with the two cropping seasons in Uganda, suggesting that smallholder farmers can use MSWC as a soil amendment to address soil fertility decline and improve crop productivity. However, because most nutrients were released almost right away in both AEZs, planting should be done at the beginning of high rainfall months when soil moisture is high to synchronise nutrient release from MSWC with crop demand and maximise nutrient uptake by crops while minimising losses to the environment. Furthermore, the inconsistent relationships between the climatic variables and nutrient release suggest that other factors, such as site-specific microbial composition, influenced MSWC nutrient release. Therefore, long-term research is needed to examine other factors affecting nutrient release in these AEZs.