In situ aerobic composting eliminates the toxicity of Ageratina adenophora to maize and converts it into a plant- and soil-friendly organic fertilizer.

Lake Malombe supports various ecosystem services (ESs). However, it is increasingly experiencing human-induced pressure. This study used geospatial, household surveys, focus group discussion, key i...

Land use/land cover dynamics, trade-offs and implications on tropical inland shallow lakes’ ecosystems’ management: Case of Lake Malombe, Malawi

The United Nations 2018 World Water Development report projected that by 2050, nearly 6 billion globe population is likely to face acute water scarcity. In Africa, about 65% of the population has no access to clean water. In Malawi, increased water pollution instigated by environmental degradation and land-use/land-cover dynamics (LULCD) is one of the major causes of clean water scarcity. The situation is worse, especially in the Malawi capital city Lilongwe. This study used 1989, 1994, 2014, and 2019 Landsat images to dissect the link between water quality variation and LULCD in the Upper Lilongwe River catchment. The water quality data were obtained from Water Quality and Environmental Management Division, Lilongwe Water Board. The LULCD results showed a decrease in forest land (46.6%), water body (25%), and grass/shrubs/bare land (11.5%). The built-up area increased by 130% while cultivated land by 35.2%. The study showed an increase in turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), electric conductivity (EC), faecal coliform, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH on the other hand decreased. The LULCD (cultivated and built-up areas) correlated positively with major nutrient loading, EC, faecal coliform, TDS, BOD, COD, and TSS. The DO and pH negatively correlated with cultivated and built-up classes implying that LULCD to some extent contributed to the water pollution in the river. Therefore, proper land-use planning and catchment management are required to improve the status of water quality in the river.

Impact of land-use/land-cover dynamics on water quality in the Upper Lilongwe River basin, Malawi

This paper reviews relevant facts and statistics about the benefits and impacts of the growing use of chemical fertilizer with a focus on soil fertility, crop productivity, and alternative sources of biofertilizers. Agriculture in Ethiopia is the main source of the economy, and it is the key contributor of the export value and provider of raw materials to processing industries. However, Ethiopian agronomical production is characterized by low output, lack of infrastructure, and low level of technology and is enormously dependent on rainfall availability. In Ethiopia, soil fertility reduction is evolving as a serious contest causing low crop yields, and research findings reported that, at the country level, nutrient balance indicated a depletion rate of 122 kg N ha−1 yr−1, 13 kg P ha−1 yr−1, and 82 kg K ha−1 yr−1. To control soil fertility depletion, primarily fertilizers are used as the source of essential plant nutrients. In Ethiopia, the use of chemical fertilizers to increase crop production was low relative to other developing countries; however, now, it is steadily increasing. Urea and diammonium phosphate are common practices for maintaining soil fertility. Chemical fertilizer consumption increased from 12 kg/ha in 1996 to 36.2 kg/ha in 2018. The main cereals’ production increased from 16.5 quintal/ha in 2009 to 23.94 quintal/ha in 2018.

Growing Use and Impacts of Chemical Fertilizers and Assessing Alternative Organic Fertilizer Sources in Ethiopia

Information on genetic variability in cowpea germplasm is important for crop improvement and for efficient utilization of the existing genetic resources. Hence, the objectives of the present investigation were to estimate genetic variability,

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Cause and cost of onsite nutrient loss replacement in the highlands of Ethiopia and implication of Soil and Water Conservation measures

Despite the fact that mineral fertilizers are widely considered as a major option for addressing the crisis of nutrient depletion, their use among smallholder farmers is not adequate due to an escalating cost. Alternatively, nutrient-rich organic sources that are easily available to farmers are not widely promoted. Thus, this study was carried out in the research field of Wolaita Sodo University, Southern Ethiopia, to evaluate the effects of locally available organic nutrient sources and nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) sulfur (S) fertilizer (19N-46P2O5-7S) on the productivity and economic performance of common bean. The organic materials used were Croton (Croton macrostachyus) and Erythrina (Erythrina brucei) at 2 : 1 ratio, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments for organic fertilizer (OF) were 0, 2.5, and 5 t·ha−1 and for NPS fertilizer were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1. Chemical composition analysis of organic materials showed high nutrient content where the amount varied from 4.7%–5.2% N, 11.07–18.6 mg/kg P, and 2.12%–3.07% K. Results on agronomic parameters revealed that the leaf area index, grain weight, number of pods per plant, dry matter per plant, and grain yield of haricot bean were significantly affected by both main and combined effects of NPS and OF fertilizers. The grain yield under integrated application of 150 kg NPS/ha and 2.5 t·OF/ha (4.16 t/ha) was significantly higher than that obtained from unfertilized crop (1.01 t/ha) by 312%. Additionally, it resulted in 34%, 31%, and 79% yield increment over the blanket dose (100 kg·NPS·ha−1), 2.5 t/ha and 5 t/ha, respectively. It was also noted that resource-poor farmers, compared to unfertilized crop, can get grain yield superior by 130% and 214% using sole OF at 2.5 and 5 t·ha−1, respectively. Furthermore, the highest economic benefit (27, 179.5EtB) was recorded from 150 kg NPS/ha + 2.5 t·OF/ha. The finding suggested that locally available organic materials of plant origin alone/integrated with NPS fertilizer are helpful for increased yield of haricot bean.

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Effects of Organic Nutrient Sources and NPS Fertilizer on the Agronomic and Economic Performance of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Southern Ethiopia

Organic materials have a nonreplaceable role to improve soil quality and productivity. Yet, processes related to decomposition and nutrient supply capacity are restricted under nutrient-depleted soils. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the decomposition rate of leaf litter mixtures treated with mineral nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and sulfur (S) fertilizer in the form of NPS (19N38P2O57S), and their effects on agronomic performance of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The mixtures of croton (Croton macrostachyus) and erythrina (Erythrina brucei) leaf litters (LLs) were placed at 20 cm depth in a litterbag at a rate equivalent to 2.5 and 5 t/ha, and treated with four NPS rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha). The leaf litters have low carbon (C) to N ratio. The experiments (litterbag and crop response) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The decomposition pattern was monitored at a two week interval (15, 30, 45, and 56 days after application) and assessed for daily decomposition rate (k), weight loss, and time required to decompose half of the residue (t50). For the crop response experiment, selected growth and yield component parameters, and grain yield data were recorded. The results indicated that NPS fertilizer and the amount of LL were significantly (
 
 p
 <
 0.01
 
 ) influenced the k values and weight loss. The k at 14 days varied from 4.47% day−1 (150 NPS kg/ha × 2.5 t LL/ha) and 2.75% day−1 (sole 2.5 t/ha LL) in which application of mineral NPS fertilizer enhanced k by 62.5%. The k values, averaged over 56 days, revealed 2.68% day−1 (150 kg NPS/ha × 2.5 t LL/ha), and 1.78% day−1 in the unfertilized 2.5 LL. The decay rate was faster within 14 days and declined afterward. Over 56 days, 60.4% and 46.6% of the original mass remained in litters without NPS fertilizer, and 150 NPS kg/ha x 2.5 t LL/ha, respectively. The residue weight loss also significantly decreased with time (r2 > 0.98). Half-lifetime was significantly (
 
 p
 <
 0.001
 
 ) decreased with the increasing rate of NPS application (r = −0.86). The t50 values, averaged over 56 days, were between 38.9 days (nontreated LL) and 27.8 days (150 kg NPS/ha), respectively. The result regarding agronomic performance indicated that the application of NPS fertilizer on the leaf litters significantly (
 
 p
 <
 0.01
 
 ) increased the growth, yield component, and grain yield of common bean. For instance, 150 kg NPS/ha on 2.5 t/ha LL has resulted in a 79% grain yield advantage over LL without NPS. Grain yield also showed significant relationship (
 
 p
 <
 0.01
 
 ) with k (r = 0.67), mass loss (r = −0.67), and t50 (r = −0.66). The finding suggests that for plant residues with a narrow C/N ratio in nutrient-depleted soils, the addition of mineral NPS fertilizer is advantageous for increased decomposition and yield of legume crops.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2022/6888235.pdf

Decomposition Dynamics of Leaf Litter Mixtures Enriched with Nps Fertilizer and Resultant Effects on Common Bean Productivity in Nutrient Depleted Soil

Ermias Elka

Papers

Effects of Organic Nutrient Sources and NPS Fertilizer on the Agronomic and Economic Performance of Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Southern Ethiopia

Decomposition Dynamics of Leaf Litter Mixtures Enriched with Nps Fertilizer and Resultant Effects on Common Bean Productivity in Nutrient Depleted Soil