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Smallholder agriculture is a major source of income and food for developing nations. With more frequent drought and increasing scarcity of arable land, more accurate land-use planning tools are needed to allocate land resources to support regional agricultural activity. To address this need, we created Land Capability Classification (LCC) system maps using data from two digital soil maps, which were compared with measurements from 1305 field sites in the Dosso region of Niger. Based on these, we developed 250 m gridded maps of LCC values across the region. Across the region, land is severely limited for agricultural use because of low available water-holding capacity (AWC) that limits dry season agricultural potential, especially without irrigation, and requires more frequent irrigation where supplemental water is available. If the AWC limitation is removed in the LCC algorithm (i.e., simulating the use of sufficient irrigation or a much higher and more evenly distributed rainfall), the dominant limitations become less severe and more spatially varied. Finally, we used additional soil fertility data from the field samples to illustrate the value of collecting contemporary data for dynamic soil properties that are critical for crop production, including soil organic carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen.
Tara Ippolito; Jeffrey Herrick; Ekwe Dossa; Maman Garba; Mamadou Ouattara; Upendra Singh; Zachary Stewart; P. Prasad; Idrissa Oumarou; Jason Neff. A Comparison of Approaches to Regional Land-Use Capability Analysis for Agricultural Land-Planning. Land 2021, 10, 458 .
AMA StyleTara Ippolito, Jeffrey Herrick, Ekwe Dossa, Maman Garba, Mamadou Ouattara, Upendra Singh, Zachary Stewart, P. Prasad, Idrissa Oumarou, Jason Neff. A Comparison of Approaches to Regional Land-Use Capability Analysis for Agricultural Land-Planning. Land. 2021; 10 (5):458.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTara Ippolito; Jeffrey Herrick; Ekwe Dossa; Maman Garba; Mamadou Ouattara; Upendra Singh; Zachary Stewart; P. Prasad; Idrissa Oumarou; Jason Neff. 2021. "A Comparison of Approaches to Regional Land-Use Capability Analysis for Agricultural Land-Planning." Land 10, no. 5: 458.
Rotation of grass ley with periods of annual crop production can be a means to increased farming system productivity, sustainability and profitability. This research review offers interpretations of rotation research results for future African agriculture. Some rotation studies were with naturally generated and severely over‐grazed fallows consisting primarily of annual plant species but other studies were with planted and well‐managed perennial grass ley. Generally, the rotations increased annual crop yields with soil improvement. System benefits were similar or greater for ley compared with fallow with generally higher fodder yields with ley. Surface crusting of sandy soil in the Sahel is a major concern that may be worsened by fallow due to the deposition of clay and silt particles. Ley and fallow were terminated in all studies with inversion plow tillage with more tillage for subsequent crops while the rotation benefits may be greater with less tillage. Most studies did not have fertilizer use but annual crop yield response to fertilizer was greatly increased following ley in one study and with no system by fertilizer interaction effect in three studies. The profitability of ley rotations will vary with fodder demand which is rapidly increasing, especially near urban areas. Strip cropping, e.g. alternate ley with annual crop strips of 5‐20 m width and rotation cycles of 6‐10 years, may often be optimal for erosion control and sediment trapping, protection from uncontrolled grazing, and nearby supply of vegetative planting material for ley re‐establishment. Rotation management can be improved through experiential learning and experimentation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
C. S. Wortmann; A. Bilgo; C. K. Kaizzi; F. Liben; M. Garba; N. Maman; I. Serme; Z. P. Stewart. Perennial grass ley rotations with annual crops in tropical Africa: A review. Agronomy Journal 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleC. S. Wortmann, A. Bilgo, C. K. Kaizzi, F. Liben, M. Garba, N. Maman, I. Serme, Z. P. Stewart. Perennial grass ley rotations with annual crops in tropical Africa: A review. Agronomy Journal. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. S. Wortmann; A. Bilgo; C. K. Kaizzi; F. Liben; M. Garba; N. Maman; I. Serme; Z. P. Stewart. 2021. "Perennial grass ley rotations with annual crops in tropical Africa: A review." Agronomy Journal , no. : 1.
Maman Garba; J-Ea Bakang; M Sabiou; V Logah. Household socio-economic factors and soil fertility management on millet fields of Southwestern Niger. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 2020, 20, 15287 -15303.
AMA StyleMaman Garba, J-Ea Bakang, M Sabiou, V Logah. Household socio-economic factors and soil fertility management on millet fields of Southwestern Niger. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 2020; 20 (1):15287-15303.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaman Garba; J-Ea Bakang; M Sabiou; V Logah. 2020. "Household socio-economic factors and soil fertility management on millet fields of Southwestern Niger." African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development 20, no. 1: 15287-15303.
Application of organic materials can amend soil for improved water infiltration and reduced erodibility with effects varying with soil properties and the organic amendment type and rate. The effects of four livestock manures, three municipal biosolids, and one industrial by‐product on dry and wet soil aggregate stability were evaluated at six sites in Nebraska. The amendments had similar C/N ratios but the biosolids had relatively high concentrations of lignin and cellulose. Soil organic matter (SOM) ranged from 21 to 65 g kg−1 and soils were silty clay loam, silt loam, or loamy sand. Soil was sampled for the 0‐ to 0.05‐m depth at physiological maturity of the second corn (Zea mays L.) crop following amendment application. Aggregation was high with no amendment applied as >95% of the soil was in water stable aggregates (WSA) > 0.053 mm and was not affected by amendments with a few exceptions such as an increase in dry aggregate size and WSA 0.25–2.0 mm at one location. Dry aggregate size was much less for the loamy sand than with other soils. With SOM >60 g kg−1 compared with less SOM, there was 42% more WSA >2 mm and 38% less WSA 20 g kg−1 but larger effects may have occurred with: sampling sooner after amendment application; a 0‐ to 0.025‐m sampling depth; or sampling at several months after harvest for reduced effect of the rhizosphere on aggregation.
Maman Garba; Charles Wortmann; Humberto Blanco‐Canqui. Soil aggregation as affected by application of diverse organic materials. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 2020, 3, 1 .
AMA StyleMaman Garba, Charles Wortmann, Humberto Blanco‐Canqui. Soil aggregation as affected by application of diverse organic materials. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 2020; 3 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaman Garba; Charles Wortmann; Humberto Blanco‐Canqui. 2020. "Soil aggregation as affected by application of diverse organic materials." Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 3, no. 1: 1.
Crop production in sub-Saharan Africa has numerous biotic and abiotic constraints, including nutrient deficiencies. Information on crop response to macronutrients is relatively abundant compared with secondary and micronutrients (SMN). Data from 1339 trial replicates of 280 field trials conducted from 2013 to 2016 in 11 countries were analyzed for the diagnosis of SMN deficiencies. The diagnostic data included relative yield response (RYR) and soil and foliar test results. The RYR to application of a combination of Mg, S, Zn, and B (Mg–S–Zn–B) relative to a comparable N–P–K treatment was a > 5% increase for 35% of the legume blocks and 60% of the non-legume blocks. The frequencies of soil test Zn, Cu, and B being below their critical level were 28, 2 and 10% for eastern and southern Africa, respectively, and 55, 58 and 89% for western Africa, while low levels for other SMN were less frequent. The frequency of foliar results indicating low availability were 58% for Zn, 16% for S and less for other SMN. The r2 values for relationships between soil test, foliar test and RYR results were < 0.035 with little complementarity except for soil test Zn and B with cassava (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz) RYR in Ghana, and foliar Zn with cereal RYR in Uganda. Positive RYR is powerful diagnostic information and indicative of good profit potential for well-targeted and well-specified SMN application. Geo-referenced RYR, soil analysis and foliar analysis results for diagnosis of SMN deficiencies in 11 countries of sub-Saharan Africa were generally not complementary.
Charles S. Wortmann; Kayuki C. Kaizzi; Nouri Maman; Athanase Cyamweshi; Mohamed Dicko; Maman Garba; Maribeth Milner; Catherine Senkoro; Bitrus Tarfa; Francis Tettah; Catherine Kibunja; Moses Munthali; Patson Nalivata; Davy Nkonde; Leon Nabahungu; Korodjouma Ouattara; Idriss Serme. Diagnosis of crop secondary and micro-nutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2019, 113, 127 -140.
AMA StyleCharles S. Wortmann, Kayuki C. Kaizzi, Nouri Maman, Athanase Cyamweshi, Mohamed Dicko, Maman Garba, Maribeth Milner, Catherine Senkoro, Bitrus Tarfa, Francis Tettah, Catherine Kibunja, Moses Munthali, Patson Nalivata, Davy Nkonde, Leon Nabahungu, Korodjouma Ouattara, Idriss Serme. Diagnosis of crop secondary and micro-nutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2019; 113 (2):127-140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharles S. Wortmann; Kayuki C. Kaizzi; Nouri Maman; Athanase Cyamweshi; Mohamed Dicko; Maman Garba; Maribeth Milner; Catherine Senkoro; Bitrus Tarfa; Francis Tettah; Catherine Kibunja; Moses Munthali; Patson Nalivata; Davy Nkonde; Leon Nabahungu; Korodjouma Ouattara; Idriss Serme. 2019. "Diagnosis of crop secondary and micro-nutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 113, no. 2: 127-140.
Rice (Oryza sativa L. and O. glaerrima Steud.) is an important food crop in Africa. Maximizing profitability of fertilizer use requires determination of nutrient response functions. Five trials were conducted in the Niger River valley of Mali and Niger. The objectives included determination of nutrient response functions for irrigated rice, other nutrient deficiencies, and profitability of fertilizer use. Average trial grain yields were 3.07, 4.09 and 5.49 Mg ha–1 in Niger and on Danga and Moursi soil types in Mali, respectively. Nitrogen response was curvilinear to plateau in all cases except for a linear response for Danga soil in Mali. Yield increases with 150 kg ha–1 N ranged from 0.7 to 1.7 Mg ha–1. Responses to P were curvilinear with grain yield increases of approximately 0.3 and 1.7 Mg ha–1 in Niger and Mali, respectively, with 30 kg ha–1 P. The economically optimal rate (EOR) for N when fertilizer use cost was 4.5 times the value of rice grain (kg kg–1) ranged from 62 to >150 kg ha–1. The EOR of P ranged from 27 to 33 kg ha–1 in Mali and from 12 to 16 kg ha–1 in Niger, depending on the relative cost of fertilizer P. Agronomic efficiency of N varied from <10 to 20 kg kg–1, and of P with 10 kg ha–1 P from 49 to 95 kg kg–1, depending on location. Net returns to N and P use exceeded 100%. This information is applicable in nutrient management decision tools oriented to farmer profitability in Mali and Niger. Copyright © 2018. . Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Agronomy, Inc.
Maman Garba; Mohamed Dicko; Nianankoro Kamissoko; Nouri Maman; Charles Wortmann. Fertilizer Use Efficiency and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Mali and Niger. Agronomy Journal 2018, 110, 1951 -1959.
AMA StyleMaman Garba, Mohamed Dicko, Nianankoro Kamissoko, Nouri Maman, Charles Wortmann. Fertilizer Use Efficiency and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Mali and Niger. Agronomy Journal. 2018; 110 (5):1951-1959.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaman Garba; Mohamed Dicko; Nianankoro Kamissoko; Nouri Maman; Charles Wortmann. 2018. "Fertilizer Use Efficiency and Profitability of Irrigated Rice in Mali and Niger." Agronomy Journal 110, no. 5: 1951-1959.
Crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa commonly encounters numerous unmitigated constraints that affect crop response to fertilizer use and relationships of soil test properties with nutrient responses. A dataset from 1265 blocks of 267 replicated trials conducted across 11 countries was analyzed to determine relationships of soil test properties with crop yield responses to applied nutrients. The dataset included cassava (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz) and five upland cereal and five grain legume crops with responses to N, P, K and a diagnostic treatment of Mg–S–Zn–B. Nitrogen was excluded for the pulses. Soil organic C (OC) was <10 g kg–1 for 55% of the blocks. Mehlich-3 P was <12 mg kg–1 for 42% of the blocks. Soil clay and OC contents accounted for 2 to 99% of the variation in soil properties. Yield with no fertilizer applied (Yield0) was most frequently related to OC and silt content. Combinations of soil test properties accounted for 0 to 65% of the variation in Yield0, for 0 to 45% of the variation in response to N, less for other nutrients, and least for P. Soil tests for availability of a particular nutrient were not related to response to that nutrient. Yield0 was positively related to yield responses to applied N. Fertilizer use decisions in sub-Saharan Africa need to be primarily based on robust crop-nutrient response functions relevant for a recommendation domain and avoidance of fertilizer use for non-responsive situations. Soil test results are not likely to be very useful for fine-tuning fertilizer use for fertilizer responsive situations. Copyright © 2018. . Copyright © by the Soil Science Society of America, Inc.
Garba Maman; Serme Idriss; Charles Wortmann. Crop Yield Response to Fertilizer Relative to Soil Properties in Sub-Saharan Africa. Soil Science Society of America Journal 2018, 82, 862 -870.
AMA StyleGarba Maman, Serme Idriss, Charles Wortmann. Crop Yield Response to Fertilizer Relative to Soil Properties in Sub-Saharan Africa. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 2018; 82 (4):862-870.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGarba Maman; Serme Idriss; Charles Wortmann. 2018. "Crop Yield Response to Fertilizer Relative to Soil Properties in Sub-Saharan Africa." Soil Science Society of America Journal 82, no. 4: 862-870.
Farmyard manure (FYM) is valuable for soil management, especially for soils with < 10 g kg−1 organic C in semi-arid West Africa. This study determined short-term FYM effects on yield and on response to N, P and K fertilizer for 20 trials in Niger and 28 trials in Burkina Faso involving six crops. The comparisons were of 0 and 2.5 Mg ha−1 yr−1 FYM applied in Niger, and of 0 and 5 Mg ha−1 FYM applied once in 2 years in Burkina Faso. Fertilizer and FYM application alone had little effect on yield in Niger but there was a synergistic effect of fertilizer P with FYM which included increased mean responses to P of, respectively: 0.22 and 0.43 Mg ha−1 for sorghum grain and fodder (Sorghum bicolor L.); 0.15 and 0.27 Mg ha−1 for cowpea grain and fodder; 0.16 Mg ha−1 grain for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) when intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.); and 0.39 Mg ha−1 for groundnut fodder (Arachis hypogea L.). Application of FYM increased pearl millet response to N but decreased legume response to K fertilizer. In Burkina Faso, there was a mean grain yield increase of 0.29 Mg ha−1 yr−1 due to FYM and the effect of applying both FYM and fertilizer was additive except for a synergy of N fertilizer plus manure application for maize (Zea mays L.). Therefore, farmers should apply FYM and fertilizer together in Niger but these can be applied alone or together in Burkina Faso with mostly similar effects.
M. Garba; I. Serme; N. Maman; O. Korodjouma; A. Gonda; C. Wortmann; S. Mason. Crop response to manure and fertilizer in Burkina Faso and Niger. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2018, 111, 175 -188.
AMA StyleM. Garba, I. Serme, N. Maman, O. Korodjouma, A. Gonda, C. Wortmann, S. Mason. Crop response to manure and fertilizer in Burkina Faso and Niger. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2018; 111 (2-3):175-188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Garba; I. Serme; N. Maman; O. Korodjouma; A. Gonda; C. Wortmann; S. Mason. 2018. "Crop response to manure and fertilizer in Burkina Faso and Niger." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 111, no. 2-3: 175-188.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is important in semiarid West Africa where the increase in demand exceeds the increase in production. Yield is often constrained by inadequate nutrient availability even though the occurrence of soil water deficits may overall be more constraining. Research was conducted in semiarid Mali and Niger to determine the yield and profit responses of maize sole crop (MzSC) to N, P, and K and to develop a procedure for determining maize–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) intercrop (MzGnI) nutrient response functions from MzSC functions. Trials were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at five locations spanning 14 degrees of longitude and two degrees of latitude. Mean MzSC grain yield increase due to 50 kg ha–1 N was 0.69 Mg ha–1 in Mali and 0.42 Mg ha–1 in Niger, and due to 10 kg ha–1 P was 0.14 Mg ha–1 in Niger with inconsistent P effects in Mali. Responses to K were negligible. Productivity and profit potential with N application was more with MzGnI compared with MzSC, but profit potential for applied P and K were not improved with MzGnI. Considering the fodder value of stover added to production value but did not have much effect on profits from fertilizer use. The procedure for determining MzGnI nutrient response functions by adapting MzSC functions was developed, providing a means to improve fertilizer use efficiency for MzGnI. Productivity and returns to applied N, on a maize grain value equivalent, are greater with MzGnI compared to MzSC. Copyright © 2018. . Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Agronomy, Inc.
Nouri Maman; Lamine Traore; Maman Garba; Mohamed Dicko; Abdou Gonda; Charles Wortmann. Maize Sole Crop and Intercrop Response to Fertilizer in Mali and Niger. Agronomy Journal 2018, 110, 728 -736.
AMA StyleNouri Maman, Lamine Traore, Maman Garba, Mohamed Dicko, Abdou Gonda, Charles Wortmann. Maize Sole Crop and Intercrop Response to Fertilizer in Mali and Niger. Agronomy Journal. 2018; 110 (2):728-736.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNouri Maman; Lamine Traore; Maman Garba; Mohamed Dicko; Abdou Gonda; Charles Wortmann. 2018. "Maize Sole Crop and Intercrop Response to Fertilizer in Mali and Niger." Agronomy Journal 110, no. 2: 728-736.
Nouri Maman; Gonda Abdou; Maman Garba. Optimizing Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers and Economic Returns to Maize in Semi-arid Niger. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B 2018, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleNouri Maman, Gonda Abdou, Maman Garba. Optimizing Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers and Economic Returns to Maize in Semi-arid Niger. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B. 2018; 8 (2):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNouri Maman; Gonda Abdou; Maman Garba. 2018. "Optimizing Fertilizer Use by Smallholder Farmers and Economic Returns to Maize in Semi-arid Niger." Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology B 8, no. 2: 1.
M. Nouri; M. Garba; K. Sones; C. S. Wortmann. Optimizing fertilizer use within the context of integrated soil fertility management in Niger. Fertilizer use optimization in sub-Saharan Africa 2017, 136 -147.
AMA StyleM. Nouri, M. Garba, K. Sones, C. S. Wortmann. Optimizing fertilizer use within the context of integrated soil fertility management in Niger. Fertilizer use optimization in sub-Saharan Africa. 2017; ():136-147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Nouri; M. Garba; K. Sones; C. S. Wortmann. 2017. "Optimizing fertilizer use within the context of integrated soil fertility management in Niger." Fertilizer use optimization in sub-Saharan Africa , no. : 136-147.
Maman Garba; Vincent Logah; Jasmien Wildemeersch; Sabiou Mahaman; Guero Yadji; Charles Quansah; Mensah Bonsu; Wim Cornelis; Robert C Abaidoo. Improvement in physical quality of a Sahelian Arenosol and implications on millet yield. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 2015, 62, 1 -16.
AMA StyleMaman Garba, Vincent Logah, Jasmien Wildemeersch, Sabiou Mahaman, Guero Yadji, Charles Quansah, Mensah Bonsu, Wim Cornelis, Robert C Abaidoo. Improvement in physical quality of a Sahelian Arenosol and implications on millet yield. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 2015; 62 (7):1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaman Garba; Vincent Logah; Jasmien Wildemeersch; Sabiou Mahaman; Guero Yadji; Charles Quansah; Mensah Bonsu; Wim Cornelis; Robert C Abaidoo. 2015. "Improvement in physical quality of a Sahelian Arenosol and implications on millet yield." Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science 62, no. 7: 1-16.
Whether aggravated agricultural drought in the Sahel is related to a changing climate (meteorological drought, i.e., deficit of rainfall or unfavourable rainfall distribution) or to land use and land degradation (soil-water drought, i.e., decreased water infilitration and water holding capacity) is a much-debated issue. Global climate models and trend analysis show little agreement on how rainfall and meteorological drought are changing in the region, and research has increasingly attributed agricultural drought to an imbalanced rainwater distribution over the root zone caused by human-induced land degradation. This paper investigates the extent of both meteorological and soil-water drought on “laterite” soils in the Tillaberí region of Niger and their effect on millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) growth by combining monthly (1905–1996) and daily (1989–2010) rainfall analysis with analysis of the root zone water distribution under different management practices. The treatments include: zaï + manure (Z), demi-lunes + manure (DL), scarification + manure (SCAR), control + manure (CF) and control (C). Our findings suggest that increasing agricultural drought does not originate from a decreasing annual amount of rainfall. However, other daily rainfall parameters more important for crop biomass productivity than total rainfall amount, such as the number of dry spells, do appear to have recently worsened. Dry-spell analysis showed increased drought risks during the vegetative growth phase (0–40 DAS) and the vulnerable grain formation phase (90–110 DAS, Days After Sowing). The extremely low grain yields and values of soil-water storage below the critical value for water stress of the control treatments, moreover, confirm poor root zone water distribution. DL and Z however, show potential, to mitigate both dry spells and soil-water drought, as they induce an important increase of soil-water storage, resulting in higher grain yields. In order to optimize these water and soil conservation (WSC) techniques and to increase their potential for drought mitigation, the underlying features enabling increased soil-water storage, including water balance analysis, soil physical properties, nutrient management and system design, should be tackled in future studies.
Jasmien C.J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Dougbedji Fatondji; Wim M. Cornelis. Agricultural drought trends and mitigation in Tillaberí, Niger. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 2015, 61, 414 -425.
AMA StyleJasmien C.J. Wildemeersch, Maman Garba, Mahamane Sabiou, Dougbedji Fatondji, Wim M. Cornelis. Agricultural drought trends and mitigation in Tillaberí, Niger. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 2015; 61 (3):414-425.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJasmien C.J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Dougbedji Fatondji; Wim M. Cornelis. 2015. "Agricultural drought trends and mitigation in Tillaberí, Niger." Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 61, no. 3: 414-425.
Over the last decades, desertification, drought and erratic rainfall have become much debated and distressing issues for Niger, given the country’s reliance on natural resources and agriculture for livelihood. A decisive answer on the causes and extent of both meteorological and soil water drought is therefore of importance to enable effective policy and resilience, but adaption to future climate change often entails the very same practices as rehabilitating degraded land to enhance water productivity. This paper investigates the extent of both meteorological and soil water drought in Niger by combining rainfall and soil water analysis and assesses the potential of various small scale WSC techniques to tackle crop growth limitations in Niger. It presents a trend analysis of rainfall and drought parameters and compares the effect of 5 treatments (zaï + manure, demi-lunes + manure, no till with scarification + manure, control + manure and control) on crop performance and soil moisture profiles. The WSC-treatments zaï and demi-lunes produce significantly higher yields due to increased soil moisture levels throughout the season. Besides the improved soil moisture conditions, the potential of WSC practices to increase the agronomic efficiency is also largely explained by their impact on the soil nutrient status.
Jasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Wim Cornelis. Water and Soil Conservation for Improved Crop Productivity and Water Household in Sahelian Conditions. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 3 2014, 519 -523.
AMA StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch, Maman Garba, Mahamane Sabiou, Wim Cornelis. Water and Soil Conservation for Improved Crop Productivity and Water Household in Sahelian Conditions. Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 3. 2014; ():519-523.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Wim Cornelis. 2014. "Water and Soil Conservation for Improved Crop Productivity and Water Household in Sahelian Conditions." Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 3 , no. : 519-523.
The hazard for recurring food insecurity in the Sahel is largely affected by insufficient biomass productivity of degraded, marginal lands. In general, Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) techniques are believed to tackle the deterioration of soil quality by enhancing soil hydraulic properties, soil life and soil organic carbon content (SOC), but this beneficial effect on soil quality is hardly ever quantified in WSC research. This study therefore evaluates the effect of WSC on soil chemical, physical and biological quality indicators by means of an in situ experiment, which was installed in 2011 nearby Sadoré, Niger. The treatments include: zaï + manure (Z), demi‐lunes + manure (DL), scarification + manure (SCAR), control + manure (CF) and control (C). WSC increases grain yields up to 0.7 ± 0.2 Mg ha−1 on degraded, marginal lands, which is similar to yields produced on fertile lands in the area. Nevertheless, a trade‐off between biomass production and SOC accumulation was observed. After three growing seasons, SOC was found to rise significantly for the treatments provided with manure, from ± 2.5 to ±5 g kg−1, but the increase was lowest for Z, which produced highest yields. WSC also showed significantly elevated nematode counts, but did not considerably affect other soil chemical and soil physical properties. Hence, on the short term, WSC does not improve soil quality, as was widely proclaimed. Therefore, future research should include the assessment of long term WSC effects and the evaluation of integrated management combining WSC with alternative, yield‐enhancing strategies.
Jasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Steven Sleutel; Wim Cornelis. The Effect of Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) on the Soil Chemical, Biological, and Physical Quality of a Plinthosol in Niger. Land Degradation & Development 2013, 26, 773 -783.
AMA StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch, Maman Garba, Mahamane Sabiou, Steven Sleutel, Wim Cornelis. The Effect of Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) on the Soil Chemical, Biological, and Physical Quality of a Plinthosol in Niger. Land Degradation & Development. 2013; 26 (7):773-783.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Maman Garba; Mahamane Sabiou; Steven Sleutel; Wim Cornelis. 2013. "The Effect of Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) on the Soil Chemical, Biological, and Physical Quality of a Plinthosol in Niger." Land Degradation & Development 26, no. 7: 773-783.
Nigerien subsistence farmers increasingly rely on marginal lands for food production as a result of ongoing soil degradation, limited fertile land availability and growing population pressure. These degraded lands, however, generally provide poor yields, which is largely assigned to an increased vulnerability to drought, as a major part of the rainfall is lost through inefficient rain water distribution. More efficient use of rainwater can be achieved with the aid of water and soil conservation (WSC) techniques, which positively alter the soil water balance in favour of productive water. In Niger, zaï and demi‐lunes WSC techniques improve yields, but their adoption has not been widespread, and the dissemination generally encounters difficulties. To identify and quantify the importance and presence of several adoption constraints in the Tillabéri region, we conducted 100 households surveys exploring farmers' erosion perception, WSC technique knowledge and resource availability. Although important adoption triggers such as food insecurity and limited fertile land availability are present, the region's WSC adoption rate is low. The application is limited by manure shortage and a lack of specific erosion knowledge, indicating the need of an efficient and specialized policy focusing on more than yield increase alone. Most farmers have little awareness of erosion causes and effects and therefore do not relate WSC techniques to the indirect benefits, which are to be taken into account to secure sustainable solutions to drought and food insecurity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Emma Timmerman; Bernard Mazijn; Mahamane Sabiou; Germaine Ibro; Maman Garba; Wim Cornelis. Assessing the Constraints to Adopt Water and Soil Conservation Techniques in Tillaberi, Niger. Land Degradation & Development 2013, 26, 491 -501.
AMA StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch, Emma Timmerman, Bernard Mazijn, Mahamane Sabiou, Germaine Ibro, Maman Garba, Wim Cornelis. Assessing the Constraints to Adopt Water and Soil Conservation Techniques in Tillaberi, Niger. Land Degradation & Development. 2013; 26 (5):491-501.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJasmien C. J. Wildemeersch; Emma Timmerman; Bernard Mazijn; Mahamane Sabiou; Germaine Ibro; Maman Garba; Wim Cornelis. 2013. "Assessing the Constraints to Adopt Water and Soil Conservation Techniques in Tillaberi, Niger." Land Degradation & Development 26, no. 5: 491-501.
This investigation assessed the effects of termite mound material (TMM) on the physical properties of sandy soil and on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth characteristics and water use efficiency. TMM combined with organic manure, TMM combined with rice straw mulching and organic manure, organic manure alone (OM) and unamended (T0) were the treatments used. Results showed that soil treated with TMM had more clay sized particles and organic carbon content than T0 and OM. In TMM-treated soil, more water was being retained at both field capacity and permanent wilting point. The application of TMM did not affect the amount of plant available water. Saturated hydraulic conductivity also remained unaffected by the TMM application, but increased with the organic matter treatment. Tomatoes grown in TMM amended soils had greater plant height and more leaves, fruit and biomass. No specific rate of TMM application was better for all parameters being assessed. The amount of water used by the tomatoes was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with fresh fruit yield (r = 0.82), leaf area index (r = 0.82) and total dry matter production (r = 0.68). While TMM did not specifically affect plant water-use efficiency, this parameter was generally improved in amended soils.
Maman Garba; Wim M. Cornelis; Kathy Steppe. Effect of termite mound material on the physical properties of sandy soil and on the growth characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in semi-arid Niger. Plant and Soil 2010, 338, 451 -466.
AMA StyleMaman Garba, Wim M. Cornelis, Kathy Steppe. Effect of termite mound material on the physical properties of sandy soil and on the growth characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in semi-arid Niger. Plant and Soil. 2010; 338 (1):451-466.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaman Garba; Wim M. Cornelis; Kathy Steppe. 2010. "Effect of termite mound material on the physical properties of sandy soil and on the growth characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in semi-arid Niger." Plant and Soil 338, no. 1: 451-466.