Relevant bibliographies by topics / Soil fertility – Zambia

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Academic literature on the topic 'Soil fertility – Zambia'

Author: Grafiati
Published: 4 June 2021
Last updated: 4 February 2022

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Journal articles on the topic "Soil fertility – Zambia"

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Mweetwa, Alice M., Aswell C. Lubungo, Benson H. Chishala, and Mirriam Phiri. "Selected Chemical Properties, Microbial Activity and Biomass of Soils Amended with Aqueous Neem Leaf Extract." Sustainable Agriculture Research 5, no. 3 (2016): 103. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v5n3p103.

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<p>With declining fertility levels of soils and the high cost of agricultural inputs, such as commercial fertilizers and pesticides, the use of organic inputs has increased in Zambia. While neem products have been shown to improve soil fertility status, several negative effects on soil organisms have also been cited. The negative effects have been attributed to several secondary metabolites produced by the neem plant. In Zambia, neem leaf extract is applied by small scale farmers to enhance soil fertility and promote crop productivity. This study reports the suitability of aqueous neem leaf extract as a soil amendment and its effect on soil microbial biomass and activity in local soils. Neem leaves were characterized before being used to prepare aqueous neem extract in the concentrations 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 % in water. The extract was characterized for selected mineral components and then applied to 5 kg of soil on a weekly basis for five weeks. Each week, for ten weeks, the effect of the extract on microbial biomass and activity were determined using the Chloroform Fumigation and Incubation (CFI) and soil respiration methods, respectively. Selected soil chemical characteristics were determined at the start and end of the experiment. Results indicated that the chemical composition of the neem leaves was comparable to that observed by others and was similar to that of other tree leaves used for preparing leaf extracts. Amending soils with neem did not significantly improve selected chemical properties but only marginally increased soil calcium levels. Neem leaf extract enhanced soil microbial activity up to 10 %, but showed inhibitory effects at 15 and 20 % concentrations. Microbial biomass was also depressed by neem leaf extract at 20 %. The reduction in both microbial activity and biomass was possibly due to the negative effects of the neem secondary metabolites in the leaf extract at these higher concentrations. Although the application of neem leaf extract at 10 % percent or higher can inhibit both microbial biomass and activity, some mineralizable components in the extracts can support growth and activity of some microorganisms in the soil. Based on these results, the application of neem leaf extract at 10 % percent or higher can inhibit both microbial biomass and activity and marginally improve soil Ca levels. The use of neem leaf extract can therefore be of benefit to soils with critically low levels of Ca.</p>
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Chisanga, Kafula, Ernest Mbega, and Patrick Alois Ndakidemi. "Socio-Economic Factors for Anthill Soil Utilization by Smallholder Farmers in Zambia." Sustainability 11, no. 18 (2019): 4849. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11184849.

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In this study, we surveyed two districts of Zambia—Choma and Pemba. The aim of this study was to obtain the perspective of farmers on anthill soil utilization practices for key information that could contribute towards the development of an anthill soil based research agenda. The study employed both a qualitative and quantitative method approach to gather data from the respondents, which included farmers and key informants. Qualitative data was analyzed using the triangulation method and Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), Nvivo version 10, while data generated from quantitative interviews with a smart phone Application (Open Data Kit) were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results revealed that the key hurdles to the utilization of anthill soil lay in agro-climatic, biophysical, technological, land and institutional constraints. Broadly, farmers reported poor rainfall patterns (95%), decreasing soil fertility (70%), limited farm products (69%), finance (66%), limited access to research and extension services (55%) and security of land tenure (48%) as major constraints. We therefore advocate for strengthenedinstitutional linkages between research and extension for information dissemination, which would aid in decision-making used to promote integrated soil fertility management for improved agriculture production and productivity of rural households.
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Umar, Bridget Bwalya. "Reversing Agro-Based Land Degradation through Conservation Agriculture: Emerging Experiences from Zambia’s Smallholder Farming Sector." Sustainable Agriculture Research 1, no. 2 (2012): 72. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v1n2p72.

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<p>This study reports on the land degradation minimizing effects of Conservation Agriculture (CA) as promoted among smallholder Zambian farmers. It found no evidence of CA associated improvements in soil fertility after five years of CA practice, most probably because crop residues were removed from the fields. The study reports high phosphorus (15.53 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>) and potassium (0.75 cmol kg<sup>-1</sup>) levels, low nitrogen (0.12 %) and organic carbon (1.19 %) levels, and no plough/hoe pans in soils from both CA and conventionally (CV) managed fields. This is in part contrary to the dominant land degradation narratives which have been the basis for promoting CA in the study areas. <em>Faidherbia albida</em>, a leguminous tree promoted as part of the CA package in Zambia, is associated with significantly higher levels of nitrogen, organic carbon and potassium under its canopy. Its planting by CA farmers is linked to the incentives provided by CA promoters. Average maize yields of 3.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> and 2.8 t ha<sup>-1 </sup>were reported under CA and CV systems respectively. Government subsidies for mineral fertilizer and hybrid seed promote maize mono-cropping and remain unsupportive of CA. It is concluded that the dominant land degradation narrative, which posits population induced land degradation, may not hold in this case. Instead, the removal of crop residues and low levels of mineral fertilizer and manure amendments may better explain the soil fertility status of the study areas. More nutrient replacement strategies are required if the benefits of CA on soil fertility are to be actualized in the immediate future.</p>
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Kuntashula, Elias. "Impact of Soil Fertility Improving Trees on Crop Productivity and Farmer Wealth in Zambia." Sustainable Agriculture Research 6, no. 3 (2017): 14. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v6n3p14.

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There has been low uptake of soil fertility improving tree technologies that have been promoted as alternatives to the costly inorganic fertiliser among the poor resource farmers of Sub Saharan Africa. This is surprising given that the majority of smallholder farmers cannot afford inorganic fertilisers. Are these technologies effective? Using data collected in 2013 from 1,231 households across six districts of Zambia, this study showed that the tree technologies increased maize productivity. However, increases in maize productivity were less than those obtained from controlled on-station and field experiments where the technologies could double or more than double maize productivity according to literature. The technologies capacity to marginally contribute to wealth creation was confirmed. Socioeconomic constraints including labour, information access, land and credit need to be tackled for the technologies to give maximum benefits. Research on fertiliser trees should therefore be redirected towards the discovery of such resource constraints saving technologies.
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5

Munene, Prisca, Lydia M. Chabala, and Alice M. Mweetwa. "Land Suitability Assessment for Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Production in Kabwe District, Central Zambia." Journal of Agricultural Science 9, no. 3 (2017): 74. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v9n3p74.

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Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), is a high value crop that can generate income for households. As a legume, soybean is incorporated in cropping systems to improve soil fertility. Soybean productivity is however limited by factors including declined soil fertility, climate change and partly due to inadequate land suitability information. This study aimed at identifying suitable land for soybean production in Kabwe district. Data layers of selected attributes relevant to soybean production were generated with slope and wetness data layers extracted from the digital elevation model (DEM). Elevation was used as a proxy for climate (rainfall and temperature) and was generated by reclassifying the elevation grid into elevation classes. Data layers for soil reaction (pH), soil organic carbon, phosphorus and texture were generated by inverse distance weighting interpolation method based on soil point data. A distance to roads layer was created using the euclidean distance tool. A spatial process model based on multi-criteria evaluation was used to integrate data layers in a weighted sum overlay to generate a soybean suitability map, whose quality was assessed using an error matrix. Results showed that 15.07% of the investigated area was highly suitable for soybean production, whereas 26.53% was suitable and 25.18% was moderately suitable. The other 20.57% was marginally suitable, 10.74% was currently not suitable and 1.92% was permanently not suitable. Based on ground truth data, the overall classification accuracy of the suitability map was 65%. The map was therefore good enough for use as a guide in selecting suitable sites for soybean production.
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Simunji, Simunji, Kalaluka L. Munyinda, Obed I. Lungu, Alice M. Mweetwa, and Elijah Phiri. "Optimizing Soil Moisture and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Some Maize (Zea mays) Varieties under Conservation Farming System." Sustainable Agriculture Research 7, no. 4 (2018): 42. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/sar.v7n4p42.

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In Zambia, small holder farmers depend on producing maize (Zea mays), which is a major staple food for many Zambians. Maize productivity among the smallholder farmers is quite low, giving only 2.3 tons per hectare. The low yields are attributed to insufficient and erratic rain fall, low soil fertility, and poor farming practices. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of maize genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency and soil moisture utilisation under conservation farming system. The trials were carried out at two sites with different soil types. Three maize varieties i.e. ZMS 606, GV 640 and GV 635 were evaluated in maize – cowpea rotation. Four cowpea varieties used for rotation with maize, i.e. Bubebe Lutembwe, BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12. BB 14-16-2-2 and LT 11-3-3-12 are mutation-derived lines of Bubebe and Lutembwe cowpea parent varieties respectively. The experimental design used was split plot with three replications. The NUE was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in CF and accounted for 27 % and 15% more than conventional farming system which valued 17% and 3% at Chisamba and Batoka, respectively. while soil moisture content was higher at Batoka than Chisamba in CF system. ZMS 606 and GV 640 varieties were superior over GV 635 for NUE. Cowpea variety BB 14-16-2-2 significantly increased NUE of maize varieties. Therefore, smallholder farmers in Zambia can increase maize productivity in maize - cowpea rotation system due to the increased NUE. Recommendations are made for farmers to select improved nitrogen efficient maize varieties to optimize productivity of maize in conservation farming system.
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Ajayi, O. C., F. K. Akinnifesi, G. Sileshi, and W. Kanjipite. "Labour inputs and financial profitability of conventional and agroforestry-based soil fertility management practices in Zambia." Agrekon 48, no. 3 (2009): 276–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2009.9523827.

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8

Ajayi, O. C., S. Franzel, E. Kuntashula, and F. Kwesiga. "Adoption of improved fallow technology for soil fertility management in Zambia: Empirical studies and emerging issues." Agroforestry Systems 59, no. 3 (2003): 317–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/b:agfo.0000005232.87048.03.

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9

CHINTU, R., P. L. MAFONGOYA, T. S. CHIRWA, M. MWALE, and J. MATIBINI. "SUBSOIL NITROGEN DYNAMICS AS AFFECTED BY PLANTED COPPICING TREE LEGUME FALLOWS IN EASTERN ZAMBIA." Experimental Agriculture 40, no. 3 (2004): 327–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479704001826.

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Nitrogen (N) is a major nutrient that limits crop production in southern Africa. We hypothesized that coppicing tree legumes, which are integrated in cropping systems, would intercept leaching nutrients and could also increase topsoil N in nutrient-depleted soils. This hypothesis was verified in three ongoing experiments at Msekera (experiments 1 and 2) and Kagoro (experiment 3) in Zambia. Planted tree fallows of Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia angustisma, and Sesbania sesban were compared with natural fallows and with continuous maize cropping with or without fertilizer (no-tree) controls. Top and subsoil samples were taken in the tree treatments and in the no-tree controls to establish short and long-term tree effects on soil N dynamics. 15N was introduced at various soil depths down to 2 m to determine the vertical root-reach of coppicing trees. Samples taken on two different dates showed that planted trees are capable of capturing subsoil N. The amounts retrieved by trees in experiment 2 did not vary with depth or dates except for A. angustisma which retrieved more N from the top 0.20 m than from the subsoil. L. leucocephala and G. sepium had similar characteristics in terms of coppice biomass production and N content, and both species rooted to at least 2 m. G. sepium in a mixture with S. sesban, retrieved more applied N than when planted alone, implying that mixed fallows may be effective in resource capture. There was more inorganic-N in the topsoil of coppiced fallows was significantly higher than in unfertilized maize plots. Subsoil N accumulation was evident under fertilized maize plots. There was less subsoil nitrate-N beneath planted trees than beneath mono-cropped maize plots indicating that trees probably retrieved subsoil N. Maize yields subsequent to coppicing tree fallows were at least 170% higher than unfertilized controls indicating improved soil fertility status in the tree systems.
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10

Muoni, T., B. Mhlanga, J. Forkman, M. Sitali, and C. Thierfelder. "Tillage and crop rotations enhance populations of earthworms, termites, dung beetles and centipedes: evidence from a long-term trial in Zambia." Journal of Agricultural Science 157, no. 6 (2019): 504–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002185961900073x.

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AbstractMacro-organisms contribute significantly to soil fertility improvement. The influence of conservation agriculture (CA) in southern Africa on their populations has not yet been fully understood. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of CA and conventional tillage on below ground biological activity in a CA long-term trial in Monze, Zambia from 2011 to 2013. The study had ten treatments which differed by tillage systems (conventional ploughing, planting basins and direct seeding) and crop diversification intensity (sole cropping, 2- or 3-year crop rotations) involving maize, cotton and sunn hemp. These factors were combined to create rotation-tillage (RotTill) treatments. Sampling of macrofauna was done once per year using a metal frame measuring 0.25 m2, hand-sorted to 30-cm depth. RotTill treatments had a significant effect on earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), termites (Coptotermes formosanus), dung beetles (Scarabaeus viettei) and centipedes (Lithobius forficatus). Earthworms and termites were more abundant in CA treatments than in conventionally ploughed (CP) treatments. Biota diversity was generally higher in CA treatments than in CP controls. Conventional mouldboard ploughing generally reduced macrofauna, thus affecting biological soil fertility and the beneficial effect of the interactions of these organisms with the soil. CA treatments had the highest maize grain yields throughout the study period. Based on the results, reduced tillage systems and crop rotations increase biological activity shown by increased densities of termites and earthworms.
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Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Soil fertility – Zambia"

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Symons, Julia. "Soil fertility constraints to small-scale agriculture in North-west Zambia." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2841.

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Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.<br>The soils of north-west Zambia are largely unexplored and are regarded by local residents as problematic in providing sufficient nutrients for the staple crop of maize in the area. The area is semi-tropical, with an average rainfall of 1300mm annum-1 falling predominantly in the summer. The undulating landscape is dominated by miombo woodland interspersed with savanna grassland. Little work has been done on these soils and further information is required to understand their origin and their fertility status. The main objectives of this thesis were: 1) to classify and sample soils from a large number of small-scale agricultural lands, 2) to develop a better understanding of these soils chemical characteristics, 3) to determine the effect of vegetation clearance on soil fertility by sampling adjacent uncultivated land, and 4) to test locally derived rock dust as a soil ameliorant in pot trial. Soils from 100 agricultural and adjacent bush/forest sites were classified and analysed to determine their fertility status. They were tentatively classified according to the WRB system and are dominated by Arenosols, Acrisols and Ferralsols with infrequent occurrences of Lixisols. Most of these soils have a sandy texture. The clay fraction comprises of gibbsite, kaolinite and hydroxyl-Al interlayered vermiculite (HIV), with a few soils also having some mica present. The soils are consistently acidic with 42% of soils sampled having a pH (KCl) <4.3. Furthermore, the subsoils proved to be equally if not more acidic than the topsoils. Low nutrient levels are invariably associated with the soil acidity, with 84% of soils having <15mg/kg P, 59% of soils <50 mg/kg K, 80% soils <300 mg/kg Ca, and 44% soils <80 mg/kg Mg. Comparisons between cultivated and bushland soils showed no consistent changes to the soil acidity and fertility. This is contrary to research that was reviewed but is likely to have been affected by the spatial variability of these soils arising from the termite dominated landscape and the soils having been derived from different parent materials. Amelioration of these soils is required in order to increase yields. It is thought that lime, used with an N, P, K, Zn and B fertilizer, will best remedy the deficiencies found in these soils. Using these nutrients could raise the yields of <1t.ha-1 to in excess of 5 t.ha-1. Local soil ameliorants of crushed rock, ash, compost, green manure and termite mounds were also considered with pulverised granite being tested through factorial pot trials to determine its usefulness as a source of K and alkalinity. It raised both soil pH and K levels but is of limited value as these rises were not significant enough to affect yield. It is recommended that future research should: 1) strategically sample across the district, classify soils and determine their fertility status; 2) compile a soil yield potential map and 3) undertake field trials to test the quantities and effectiveness of fertilizers alongside local soil ameliorants.
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Symons, Julia. "Soil fertility constraints to small-scale agriculture in north-west Zambia /." Link to the online verion, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1062.

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Books on the topic "Soil fertility – Zambia"

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Thomas, Raussen, Zambia. Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries. Dept. of Research and Specialist Services., Zambia. Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries. Dept. of Field Services., and Seden Regionala markvårdsenheten, eds. Integrated soil fertility management on small scale farms in Eastern Province of Zambia: A review of current knowledge and experiences for agricultural extension workers. Republic of Zambia, Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries, Dept. of Research and Specialist Services and Dept. of Field Services, 1997.

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2

Integrated soil fertility management on small scale farms in Eastern Province of Zambia: A review of current knowledge and experiences for agricultural extension workers (RSCU technical handbook). Regional Soil Conservation Unit, 1997.

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