Optimizing Soil Fertility Management Strategies to Enhance Banana Production in Volcanic Soils of the Northern Highlands, Tanzania (original) (raw)
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Agronomy
Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which relies on applications of cattle manure only, by mixing with inorganic fertilizer resources can increase land productivity and can improve the overall profitability of banana production in the country. Experiments were conducted at Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru to determine the effects of organic fertilizer resources (animal manure and crop residue) and their combination with inorganic fertilizer resources on the productivity and profitability of Mchare banana production. Banana fruit yield differed significantly among the experimental sites, with drier areas of Tengeru recording, on average, 19.6 t ha−1 year−1, while the more humid areas of Lyamungo recorded, on average, 39...
Field Crops Research, 2010
Poor yields of East African highland bananas (Musa spp., AAA-EAHB) on smallholder farms have often been attributed to problems of poor soil fertility. We measured the effects of mineral fertilizers on crop performance at two sites over two to three crop cycles; Kawanda in central Uganda and Ntungamo in southwest Uganda. Fertilizers were applied at rates of 0N–50P–600K, 150N–50P–600K, 400N–0P–600K, 400N–50P–0K, 400N–50P–250K and 400N–50P–600K kg ha−1 yr−1. In addition 60Mg–6Zn–0.5Mo–1B kg ha−1 yr−1 was applied to all treatments, with the exception of the control plots which received no fertilizer. Fresh bunch mass and yield increased with successive cycles. Yield increases above the control ranged from 3.1 to 6.2 kg bunch−1 (average bunch weight for all treatments 11.5 kg bunch−1) and 2.2–11.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 (average yield for all treatments 15.8 Mg ha−1 yr−1) at Kawanda, compared with 12.4–16.0 kg bunch−1 (average bunch weight for all treatments 14.7 kg bunch−1) and 7.0–29.5 Mg ha−1 yr−1 (average yield for all treatments 17.9 Mg ha−1 yr−1) at Ntungamo. The limiting nutrients at both sites were in the order K > P > N. Potassium, N and P foliar nutrient mass fractions were below previously established Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms, with the smallest K mass fractions observed in the best yielding plots at Ntungamo. Total nutrient uptakes (K > N > P) were higher at Ntungamo as compared with Kawanda, probably due to better soil moisture availability and root exploration of the soil. Average N, P and K conversion efficiencies for two crop cycles at both sites amounted to 49.2 kg finger DM kg−1 N, 587 kg finger DM kg−1 P and 10.8 kg finger DM kg−1 K. Calibration results of the model QUEFTS using data from Ntungamo were reasonable (R2 = 0.57, RMSE = 648 kg ha−1). Using the measured soil chemical properties and yield data from an experiment at Mbarara in southwest Uganda, the calibrated QUEFTS model predicted yields well (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 562 kg ha−1). We conclude that banana yields can be increased by use of mineral fertilizers, but fertilizer recovery efficiencies need to improve substantially before promoting wide-scale adoption.
Bishop Stuart University Journal of Development, Education & Technology
The Experiment was on the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on banana yields in Shuuku Town council, Sheema district. It was guided by three objectives which were, determining the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected Sites. The experiment was set using an incomplete randomized block design to evaluate the effects of Farmyard Manure and NPK fertilizer on banana yields, with an aim of determining the effect of Farmyard manure and NPK fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining Hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected farms. Each block consisted of 30 banana stools, each farm with 4 blocks, one block cattle manure, another for NPK fertilizer, another one for a combination of both and the last one as a control in a randomized for...
In Uganda, actual highland banana yields (5-30 t ha-1 yr-1) are small when compared to potential yield (70 t ha-1 yr-1) due to high pest-and disease pressure, soil fertility decline, and poor management. Although it is generally accepted that soil exhaustion is a major cause of low and declining yields, there are almost no data to demonstrate this relationship. Most studies show that banana soils are relatively fertile and often contain sufficient nutrients for optimum growth. Nonetheless, K, N and Mg deficiencies are commonly detected in fertilizer trials and banana foliar samples. The increasing commercialization of banana increases the export of plant nutrients from the farms to the urban centers. Contrary to commercial banana farmers elsewhere in the world, Ugandan banana growers do not use chemical fertilizers to replenish soil nutrient stocks. Instead, they only rely on organic amendments, causing further soil fertility decline of annual cropped fields and grassland. Although nutrient losses can be minimized with improved organic matter management, sustaining long-term soil fertility without the use of external inputs seems unlikely. There is evidence showing that pest and disease pressure are closely related to soil fertility and plant nutrient uptake. However, the functional relationships between pests, diseases and soil fertility problems are yet to be resolved. When developing improved crop management options, we need to address both pest, disease and soil problems in an integrated way in order to enable successful adoption.
Open Access Library Journal, 2019
In Uganda, banana (Musa spp.) is an important crop supporting different stakeholders along its value chain. However, the increase in banana production under smallholder farming system is a result of the increased area of land under its cultivation. This has escalated land degradation in the form of soil nutrient exhaustion in the banana farming systems. Although, declining trends for banana productivity, has been widely reported, there is limited formidable information on the level of soil fertility decline in the banana-grown fields in relation to annual crop-grown fields, which also support livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Therefore, detailed comparison farm studies were conducted on banana and annual crop grown-fields on lixic ferralsols to gain insights on soil organic matter and chemical parameters of selected fields. While there were no significant differences in soil chemical properties (p
International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Science , 2021
Plantation agriculture is an important economic activity in Cameroon, yet their long-term impacts on the environment have not been adequately documented. The pattern of change of soil nutrient status under banana plantations aged between 7and 23 years of age were investigated. Soil samples collected from the banana plantations and the adjacent forestland were analyzed in the laboratory. Analysis of variance was used to determine the strength and nature of the relationship between the plantations and control. Soil properties. The study revealed a significant difference in K + , Mg 2+ , Na + , the sum of bases, and pH between the banana plantations and adjacent forestland, with the plantation having lower values. With the exception of total N and P, a significant difference was observed in all the other elements among the different plantation age series. The pattern of change over time under the banana, however, showed a rise at the age of 19 years and followed by a decline to the twenty-third year. In order to maintain the nutrient status of the soil beyond the ninetieth year, it is recommended that plantations can use organic manure as a mulch for banana plantation management.
The agronomic and economic benefits of fertilizer and mulch use in highland banana systems in Uganda
Agricultural Systems, 2010
Banana is the most important food crop in Uganda. However, there has been a decline in productivity, attributed to declining soil fertility, drought, pests and diseases and crop management factors. This study aimed to explore the possibility of increasing yields through the use of fertilizer and mulch, and to evaluate the benefits of these inputs across the major banana producing regions in Uganda. This study was carried out in 179 smallholder plots in Central, South, Southwest and East Uganda in 2006/7. Half of the plots were ‘demonstration plots’ of an agricultural development project, while the other half were neighboring farmer plots that acted as ‘control’. Demonstration plots received mineral fertilizer (100% of plots), averaging 71 N, 8 P, 32 K kg ha−1 yr−1 and external mulch from grass and crop residues (64% of plots), whereas control plots received no mineral fertilizer and little external mulch (26% of plots). Demonstration plots had significantly (P ⩽ 0.05) higher yields than control plot in Central, South and Southwest, but average yield increases varied from 4.8 t ha−1 yr−1 (Southwest) to 8.0 (Central), and 10.0 (South). Average weevil corm damage (3%) and nematode-induced root necrosis (7%) was low and similar for both plot types, so yield increases could only be explained by the use of fertilizer and mulch. The highest demonstration plot yield increases were observed where fertilizer addressed key nutrient deficiencies identified using the compositional nutrient diagnosis approach. Farm gate bunch prices declined from 0.17 (Central Uganda) to 0.07 USD kg−1 (Southwest Uganda). Consequently, average marginal rate of return (MRR) of fertilizer and mulch use ranged from 0.1 (Southwest) to 5.8 (Central). The technologies were likely to be acceptable to farmers (MRR ⩾ 1.00) up to 160 km away from the capital. Fertilizer use is likely to be acceptable in all regions (MRR = 0.7–9.4) if local fertilizer prices of 2006/7 (average USD 0.56 kg−1 of fertilizer) declined by 50%. Doubling of fertilizer prices is likely to make fertilizer use unacceptable beyond 100 km away from the capital. The study concludes that there is scope for increased input use in banana systems in Uganda, but that regional variations in crop response, input/output prices, and price fluctuations have to be taken into account.► Modest fertilizer and mulch applications increase highland banana yields by 4.8 to 10.0 t ha−1 yr−1. ► Yield increases were highest where fertilizer applied addressed key nutrient deficiencies. ► Farm gate banana prices declined by >50% when moving from the Kampala urban market to >300 km distance. ► Application of external nutrient inputs can be safely recommended close (<100 km) to Kampala market but depending on input-output price developments may not be profitable in the main banana production areas in Southwest Uganda.
Soil Management Requirements for Banana Production on the Heavy Soils Around Lake Victoria in Uganda
Acta Horticulturae, 2000
Banana production, which are the basic staple for 75% of the population, has declined in Uganda. This decrease has been attributed to many factors among which soil fertility is paramount. In the absence of research results, it is virtually impossible to apportion the decline attributes. A long term study was carried out during 1990-1995 to investigate the soil management options that would sustain banana production in the Lake Victoria region of Uganda. The study involved three experiments, the first being a study on the effect of different mulches on banana yields and soil conditions. The mulches included maize stover, soybean residue, tall swamp grass and mucuna live mulch. The second experiment studied the effect of potassium fertilizer on banana yields and soil conditions after application of 25, 50, 100 and 200 kg K ha-1. The third experiment investigated the effect of four application techniques viz. 100% surface, 50% surface plus 50% incorporated, a third (48 t) surface and a third (48 t) incorporated and 100% incorporation of 144 ton ha-1 of coffee husks, on soil fertility, banana root system and bunch yield. Banana root biomass, soil water infiltration rates, soil macrofauna, and banana yields were recorded. Maize stover mulch increased banana yields more than any other mulch, while the control had reduced yields every subsequent year. This means that mulches that are easily degraded to release nutrients, increase banana yields enormously. Application of 200 kg K ha-1 more than doubled the yield, which showed that potassium deficiency in farmers fields could be one of the factors responsible for banana production decline in the country. Coffee husk application more than doubled banana yield in comparison to the control plots where coffee husks were not applied. However, the best technique of application was half-incorporated and half on the surface. This was attributed to soil betterment that led to improved root biomass and yield. It was concluded that sustainable banana production in the Lake Victoria region of Uganda, which has relatively heavy soils, requires improved soil physical, chemical and biological properties. This could be done through mulching with easily degradable materials, improved organic management and where possible potassium fertilizer should be applied to meet the high plant demand for this nutrient.
2004
Keywords: Land use changes; Herbaceous legumes; Adoptability; N 2 -fixation; Residual effect; Legume management; Exploration of options, Nutrient depleted soils. The banana-based farming system in Bukoba District , Tanzania , has been in existence for over 300 years. At present, banana productivity in homegardens is declining largely due to the decline in soil fertility, which in many years was counteracted by the availability of manure. The grazing land is being converted to crop fields and other uses. Crop fields have in part, assumed the role of grazing land of providing for fodder to the few cattle kept today, which is not sustainable in many years. This thesis explores opportunities for integrating herbaceous legumes in the farming system, to act as a engine to keep maintain the farming system by providing fodder to the cattle (hence manure for use in the home gardens) and improvement the fertility of soils of annual crop fields as improved fallows.The area of grasslands was sh...
Networking on soil fertility management: improving soil fertility in Africa-Nutrient networks & stakeholder perceptions. It was drawn up with the primary aim of bringing together the following three research programmes: • The dynamics of soil fertility management in savannah Africa coordinated by IIED and IDS/UK; • Spatial and temporal variation of soil nutrient stocks and management in sub-Saharan Africa systems (VARINUTS) coordinated by SC/DLO the Netherlands; • Potentials of low-external input and sustainable agriculture to attain productive and sustainable land use in Kenya and Uganda (LEINUTS) coordinated by LEI/DLO, the Netherlands. NUTNET is a partnership of 15 organisations coming from 6 African and 2 European countries. They are INERA,