Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Combined Use of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources Improved Maize Productivity and Soil Fertility in Southwestern Ethiopia

  • Research
  • Published:
International Journal of Plant Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Declining soil quality is among the factors leading to low crop yields in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, a 2 year on farm field experiment was carried out in Ethiopia to test whether integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs increases soil quality, the nutrient balance and maize yields. Treatment combinations included 2 and 4 t ha−1 of compost (Com) and farm yard manure (FYM), and 50 and 100% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer (RIF). The treatments were laid out on 11 farmer fields where each farm served as a replicate. About 40% yield increase was recorded due to the combined use of 4 t ha−1 of Com along with 50% RIF compared to the 100% RIF. Soil quality was significantly improved in the top 20 cm of the soil due to application of FYM or Com combined with 50% RIF. Carbon and Nitrogen stocks were respectively 86 and 175% higher in the 4 t Com + 50% RIF compared to the control with no significant variation between farms. Further, the N and P partial balances were between 12.2 and 41.6 kg ha−1 year−1 and 10.2 and 17.4 kg ha−1 year−1 for N and P, respectively implying that the sites showed N and P-accumulations over the study period. Results suggest that nutrient depletion can be mitigated in smallholder systems through the use of locally available organic inputs, hence longer-term productivity of smallholders can be sustained.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bedada, W., Karltun, E., Lemenih, M., & Tolera, M. (2014). Long-term addition of compost and NP fertilizer increases crop yield and improves soil quality in experiments on smallholder farms. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 195, 193–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bedada, W., Lemenih, M., & Karltun, E. (2016). Soil nutrient build-up, input interaction effects and plot level N and P balances under long-term addition of compost and NP fertilizer. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 218, 220–231.

  • Bhattacharyya, R., Prakash, V., Kundu, S., Srivastva, A. K., Gupta, H. S., & Mitra, S. (2009). Long term effects of fertilization on carbon and nitrogen sequestration and aggregate associated carbon and nitrogen in the Indian sub-Himalayas. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 86, 1–16.

  • Bray, R. H., & Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Science, 59, 39–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CASCAPE (2014). Participatory rural appraisal report: Bedelle woreda, west Oromia region. CASCAPE working paper 2.5.1, April 2014, Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Chapman, H. D., & Pratt, F. P. (1961). Ammonium vanadate–molybdate method for determination of phosphorus. Methods of Analysis for Soils, Plants and Water (pp. 184–203). USA: California University, Agriculture Division .

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, B., Liu, E., Tian, Q., Yan, C., & Zhang, Y. (2014). Soil nitrogen dynamics and crop residues. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 34, 429–442.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chilimba, A. D. C., Mughogho, S. K., & Wendt, J. (1999). Mehlich 3 or modified olsen for soil testing in Malawi. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 30, 1231–1250.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chivenge, P., Vanlauwe, B., Gentile, R., Wangechi, H., Mugendi, D., van Kessel, C., & Six, J. (2009). Organic and mineral input management to enhance crop productivity in Central Kenya. Agronomy Journal, 101, 1266–1275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chivenge, P., Vanlauwe, B., & Six, J. (2010). Does the combined application of organic and mineral nutrient sources influence maize productivity? A Meta-Analysis. Plant and Soil, 342, 1–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elias, E. (2002). Farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility change and management. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: EDM Printing Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elias, E., & Scoones, I. (1999). Perspectives on soil fertility change: A case study from southern Ethiopia. Land Degradation and Development, 10, 195–206.

  • Elias, E., Morse, S., & Belshaw, D. G. R. (1998). Nitrogen and phosphorus balances of Kindo Koisha farms in southern Ethiopia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 71, 93–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elias, E., Okoth, P. F., & Smaling, E. M. A. (2019). Explaining bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield differences by soil properties and fertilizer rates in the highlands of Ethiopia. Geoderma, 339, 126–133.

  • Esilaba, A. O., Byalebek, J. B., Delve, R. J., Okalebo, J. R., Ssenyange, D., Mbalule, M., & Ssali, H. (2005). On farm testing of integrated nutrient management strategies in eastern Uganda. Agricultural Systems, 86, 144–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EthioSIS (2014) Soil fertility and fertilizer tentative recommendation for Oromia Region. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

  • Fanuel, L., Kibebew, K., Tekalign, M., & Heluf, G. K. (2016). Soil–plant nutrient status and their relations in maize-growing fields of Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 47(11), 1343–1356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goyal, S., Chander, K., Mundra, M. C., & Kapoor, K. K. (1999). Influence of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments on soil organic matter and soil microbial properties under tropical conditions. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 29, 196–200.

  • Haileslassie, A., Priess, J., .Veldkamp, E., Teketay, D., & Lesschen, P. (2005). Assessment of soil nutrient depletion and its spatial variability on smallholders’ mixed farming systems in Ethiopia using partial versus full nutrient balances. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 108, 1–16.

  • Haileslassie, A., Priess, J. A., Veldkamp, E., & Lesschen, J. P. (2007). Nutrient flows and balances at the field and farm scale: exploring effects of land-use strategies and access to resources. Agric. Syst., 94, 459–470.

  • Hailu, H., Mamo, T., Keskinen, R., Karltun, E., Gebrekidan, H., & Bekele, T. (2015). Soil fertility status and wheat nutrient content in vertisol cropping systems of central highlands of Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security, 4(19), 1–10.

  • He, X., Mulvaney, R., & Banwart, W. (1990). A rapid method for total nitrogen analysis using microwave digestion. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 54, 1625–1629.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, D. J., Yapa, L. G. G., & Hue, N. V. (1997). Effects of green manure and coral lime on corn growth and chemical properties of an acid Oxisol in Western Samoa. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 24, 266–273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kihanda, F. M., Warren, G. P., & Micheni, A. N. (2006). Effect of manure application on crop yield and soil chemical properties in a long-term field trial of semi-arid Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 76, 341–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimetu, J. M., Mugendi, D. N., Palm, C. A., Mutuo, P. K., Gachengo, C. N., Bationo, A., Nandwa, S., & Kungu, J. (2004). Nitrogen fertilizer equivalencies by organics of differing quantity and optimum combinations with organic nitrogen source in central Kenya. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 68, 127–135.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koné, A., Tondoh, J., Angui, P., Bernhard-Reversat, F., Loranger-Merciris, G., Brunet, D., & Brédoumi, S. (2008). Is soil quality improvement by legume cover crops a function of the initial soil chemical characteristics? Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 82, 89–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kone, W., Tondoh, J. E., Aduramigba-Modupe, V. O., Deleporte, P., Orendo-Smith, R., & Brunet, D. (2017). Legume and mineral fertilizer derived nutrient use efficiencies by maize in a guinea savannah of Cote d’Ivoire. Agronomie Africaine, 29(1), 33–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesschen, J. P., Stoorvogel, J. J., Smaling, E. M. A., Heuvelink, G., & Veldkamp, A. (2007). A spatially explicit methodology to quantify soil nutrient balances and their uncertainties at the national level. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 78, 111–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loide, V. (2004). About the effect of the contents and ratios of soil’s available calcium, potassium and magnesium in liming of acid soils. Agronomy Research, 2(1), 71–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mucheru-Muna, M., Mugendi, D., Kungu, J., Mugwe, J., & Bationo, A. (2007). Effects of organic and mineral fertilizer inputs on maize yield and soil chemical properties in a maize cropping system in Meru South District, Kenya. Agroforestry Systems, 69, 189–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mucheru-Muna, M., Mugendi, D., Pypers, P., Mugwe, J., Kung, J., Vanlauwe, B., & Merckx, R. (2014). Enhancing maize productivity and profitability using organic inputs and mineral fertilizer in central Kenya small-hold farms. Experimental Agriculture, 50(2), 250–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mugwira, L. M., & Murwira, H. K. (1997). Use of cattle manure to improve soil fertility in Zimbabwe: past and current research and future research needs. Research Results working Paper, Number 2 (p. 33). Harare, Zimbabwe: CIMMYT Maize Programme and Natural Resources Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nziguheba, G., Merckx, R., Palm, C. A., & Mutuo, P. (2002). Combining Tithonia diversifolia and fertilizers for maize production in a phosphorous deficient soil in Kenya. Agroforestry Systems, 55, 165–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nziguheba, G., Palm, C. A., Buresh, R. J., et al. (1998). Soil phosphorus fractions and adsorption as affected by organic and inorganic sources. Plant and Soil, 198, 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004389704235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palm, C. A., Gachengo, C. N., Delve, R. J., Cadish, G., & Giller, K. E. (2001). Organic inputs for soil fertility management in tropical agroecosystems application of an organic resource data base. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 83, 27–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palm, C. A., Myers, R. J. K., & Nandwa, S. M. (1997). Combined use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources for soil fertility maintenance and replenishment. In J. Hatfield, J. M. Bigham, D. M. Krai, & M. K. Viney (Eds.), Replenshing soil fertility in Africa (pp. 206–230). Madison, Wisconsin: SSSA Special Publication no. 51.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc. (2002). SAS/STAT® 9.3 user’s guide. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savoy, H. (2009). Interpreting Mehlich 1 and 3 soil test extractant results for P and K in Tennessee W229. Tennessee: University of Tennessee.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlecht, E., & Hiernaux, P. (2004). Beyond adding up inputs and outputs: Process assessment and upscaling in modelling nutrient flows. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 70, 303–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoorvogel, J. J., & Smaling, E. M. A. (1993). Assessment of soil nutrientdepletion in Sub-Saharan Africa: 1983–2000. Technical Report. Wageningen: Winand Staring Centrum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeda, M., Nakamoto, T., Miyazawa, K., Murayama, T., & Okada, H. (2009). Phosphorus availability and soil biological activity in an Andosol under compost application and winter cover cropping. Applied Soil Ecology, 42, 86–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Beek, C. L., Duivenbooden, N., Herold, N., Kessler, A., & Römkens, P. (2017). The fertile grounds initiative: a concerted action for integrated soil fertility management. Advances in Plants & Agriculture Research, 6(3), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.15406/apar.2017.06.00215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Beek, C. L., Elias, E., Yihenew, G. S., Heesmans, H., Tsegaye, A., Feyisa, H., Tolla, M., Melmuye, M., Gebremeskel, Y., & Mengist, S. (2016). Soil nutrient balances under diverse agro-ecological settings in Ethiopia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 106, 257–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van den Bosch, H., Gitari, J. N., Ogaro, V. N., Maobe, S., & Vlaming, J. (1998). Monitoring nutrient flows and economic performance in African farming systems (NUTMON). III. Monitoring nutrient flows and balances in three districts in Kenya. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 71, 63–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Reeuwijk, L. P. (2002). Procedures for soil analysis (6th ed.). Wageningen, The Netherlands: Technical paper/International Soil Reference and Information center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe, B., Bationo, A., Chianu, J., Giller, K. E., Merckx, R., Mokwunye, U., Ohiokpehai, O., Pypers, P., Tabo, R., Shepherd, K. D., Smaling, E. M. A., Woomer, P. L., & Sanginga, N. (2010). Integrated soil fertility management: Operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination. Outlook on Agriculture, 39, 17–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe, B., Coyne, D., Gockowski, J., Hauser, S., Huising, J., Masso, C., Nziguheba, G., & Van Asten, P. (2014). Sustainable intensification and the smallholder African farmer. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 8, 15–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe, B., Kihara, J., Chivenge, P., Pypers, P., Coe, R., & Six, J. (2011). Agronomic use efficiency of N fertilizer in maize-based systems in sub-Saharan Africa within the context of integrated soil fertility management. Plant and Soil, 339, 35–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37, 29–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WRB. (2014). World Reference Base for Soil Resources. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. Rome: FAO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zingore, S., Delve, R. J., Nyamangara, J., & Giller, K. E. (2008). Multiple benefits of manure: the key to maintenance of soil fertility and restoration of depleted sandy soils on African smallholder farms. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 80, 267–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research was financed by Capacity building for scaling up of evidence-based best practices in agricultural production in Ethiopia (CASCAPE) project, a Joint Ethio-Netherlands project for increasing agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. The support of the project team in overall activity of the research is highly acknowledged. Development agents and agricultural experts at district and sub-district levels are sincerely acknowledged for managing experimental plots. Prof Eric Smalling, Wagenngen University & Research, is duly acknowledged for his valid comments, expert contributions and reviewing the draft manuscript.

Funding

Not applicable.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by MM, AN, GB and EE. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MM and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amsalu Nebiyu.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Consent to Participate

All the authors have participated in the preparation of this manuscript as per the requirements.

Consent for Publication

All the authors have given their consent for publication of this manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mamuye, M., Nebiyu, A., Elias, E. et al. Combined Use of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Sources Improved Maize Productivity and Soil Fertility in Southwestern Ethiopia. Int. J. Plant Prod. 15, 407–418 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-021-00144-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-021-00144-6

Keywords

Navigation