Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T09:09:18.473Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

USING APSIM-MODEL AS A DECISION-SUPPORT-TOOL FOR LONG-TERM INTEGRATED-NITROGEN-MANAGEMENT AND MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS IN KENYA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2015

M. OSCAR KISAKA ,
M. MUCHERU-MUNA ,
F. K. NGETICH ,
J. N. MUGWE ,
D. N. MUGENDI ,
F. MAIRURA  and
J. MURIUKI
M. OSCAR KISAKA*
Affiliation:
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
M. MUCHERU-MUNA
Affiliation:
Departments of Environmental Science, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
F. K. NGETICH
Affiliation:
Department of Land and Water Management, Embu University College, P.O. Box, 6-60100 Embu, Kenya
J. N. MUGWE
Affiliation:
Departments of Agricultural Resource Management, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
D. N. MUGENDI
Affiliation:
Department of Land and Water Management, Embu University College, P.O. Box, 6-60100 Embu, Kenya
F. MAIRURA
Affiliation:
TSBF-CIAT, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT, P.O. Box 30677, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
J. MURIUKI
Affiliation:
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
*
‡Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]; or [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

There is continued decline in per capita agricultural productivity in the drier parts of Kenya's central highlands. The declines have been linked to low and declining soil fertility, soil water, high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry-spells and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed and tested in the region. Despite their significant impacts, high variability in local soils and climate contributes to large variations and inconsistency in research results among replications. Experimentation is expensive and limited to a few years, sites and scenarios. Crop-growth simulation models suitably complement experimental research, to support decision making regarding soil fertility and water management. This study evaluated the performance of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. APSIM was parameterized and calibrated based on a rain-fed randomized complete block trial (2009–2012) at a research station in Machang’a, Embu County. The study further reported on long-term effects of integrated Nitrogen (N) management from organic residues (goat manure, Lantana camara, Tithonia diversifolia and Mucuna pruriens) and their combination with mineral fertilizers in maize production. The model adequately reproduced the observed trends of maize leaf area index (LAI) and yield response to the test N amendments. Long-term simulations showed that application of 0, 20 and 40 Kg N ha−1 had low inter-seasonal variations (CV = 18–33%) in yields. High yield variability (CV > 56%) was observed in the application of 60 and 80 Kg N ha−1. Application of 40 Kg N ha−1 by combining mineral fertilizer and manure showed 80% chance of harvesting more than 2.5 Mg ha−1 of maize grain yield. Maize stover mulching at 5 and 6 Mg ha−1 with the same N application increased long-term guaranteed grain harvests to 3.5 Mg ha−1. This is when complemented with 90 Kg P ha−1. This integrated N and soil water management is thus recommended. For subsistence farming, low-cost recommendations are geared towards some ‘guaranteed’ yield stability each cropping season. This recommendation underpins low-cost technologies that reduce production risks among small-holder farmers who faced with intermittent financial problems, to improve food security. However, there is need to evaluate and verify that there is a positive balance of primary nutrients such as N, P and K in such a fertility and water management option. Its effects on C:N levels ought to be evaluated as well.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 52 , Issue 2 , April 2016 , pp. 279 - 299
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Araya, A. and Stroosnijder, L. (2011). Assessing drought risk and irrigation needs in northern Ethiopia. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 151:425–436.Google Scholar
Abdoulaye, T. and Sanders, J. H. (2005). Stages and determinants of fertilizer use in semiarid African agriculture: the Niger experience. Agricultural Economics 32 (6):167–179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Adamtey, N., Cofie, O., Ofosu-Budu, K. G., Ofosu-Anim, J., Laryea, K. B. and Forster, D. (2010). Effect of N-enriched co-compost on transpiration efficiency and water-use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled irrigation. Agricultural Water Management 97:995–1005.Google Scholar
Akponikpè, P. B. I., Michels, K. and Bielders, C. L. (2008). Integrated nutrient management of pearl millet in the sahel using combined application of cattle manure, crop residues and mineral fertilizer. Experimental Agriculture 46 (4):333–334.Google Scholar
Bationo, A. and Buerkert, A. (2001). Soil organic carbon management for sustainable land use in the Sudano-Sahelian West Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 61:131–142.Google Scholar
Bationo, A., Buerkert, A., Sedogo, M. P., Christianson, B. C. and Mokwunye, A. U. (1995). A critical review of crop-residue use as soil amendment in the semi-arid tropics. In Proceedings of an International Conference Held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22–26 November, 1993, 305–322. ILCA, SGPR.Google Scholar
Bationo, A., Lompo, F. and Koala, S. (1998). Research on nutrient flows and balances in West Africa: state-of-the-art. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 71:19–36.Google Scholar
Bationo, A., Mokwunye, U., Vlek, P. G., Koala, S. and Shapiro, B. I. (2003). Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Land Use in Africa's Drier Zones. Nairobi: Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF).Google Scholar
Bielders, C. L., Michels, K. and Bationo, A. (2002). On-farm evaluation of ridging and residue management options in a Sahelian millet-cowpea intercrop: soil quality changes. Soil Use and Management 18:216–222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bonsu, P. and Asibuo, J. Y. (2013). Rotational effects of legumes on maize yield. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research 2:4–20.Google Scholar
Buerkert, A. and Lamers, J. (1999). Soil erosion and deposition effects on surface characteristics and pearl millet growth in the West African Sahel. Plant and Soil Research 215:239–253.Google Scholar
Christianson, C. B., Bationo, A., Henao, J. and Vlek, P. L. G. (1990). Fate and efficiency of N-Fertilizers applied to pearl-millet in Niger. Plant and Soil 125:221–231.Google Scholar
Cobo, J. G., Barrios, E., Kass, L. and Thomas, R. J. (2002). Decomposition and nutrient release by green manures in a tropical hillside agro-ecosystem. Plant and Soil 240 (6):331–342.Google Scholar
De Rouw, A. and Rajot, J. (2004). Nutrient availability and pearl millet production in Sahelian farming systems based on manuring or fallowing. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 104:249–262.Google Scholar
Esse, P. C., Buerkert, A., Hiernaux, P. and Assa, A. (2001). Decomposition of/and nutrient release from ruminant manure on acid sandy soils in the Sahelian zone of Niger, West Africa. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 83:55–63.Google Scholar
Hafner, H., Bley, J., Bationo, A., Martin, P. and Marschner, H. (1993). Long-term nitrogen-balance for pearl-millet (Pennisetum-Glaucum L.) in an acid sandy soil of Niger. Soil and Tillage Research 156:169–176.Google Scholar
Ibewiro, B., Sanginga, N., Houngdandan, P., Vanlauwe, B., Okogun, J. A., Akobundu, I. and Versteeg, M. (2000). Evaluation of symbiotic properties and nitrogen contribution of Mucuna pruriens to maize grown in the derived Savanna of West Africa. Plant and Soil Research 179:119–129.Google Scholar
Jaetzold, R., Schmidt, H., Hornet, Z. B. and Shisanya, C. A. (2007). Farm Management Handbook of Kenya. Natural Conditions and Farm Information. 2nd edn. vol.11/C. pp. 85–167. Eastern Province, Nairobi, Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture/GTZ.Google Scholar
Keating, B. A., Carberry, P. S., Hammer, G. L., Probert a, M. E., Robertson, M. J., Holzworth, D., Huth, N. I., Hargreaves, J. N., Meinke, G. H., Hochman, Z., McLean, G., Verburg, K., Snow, V., Dimes, M., Silburn, J. P., Wang, E., Brown, S., Bristow, K. L., Asseng, S., Chapman, S., McCown, R. L., Freebairn, D. M. and Smith, C. J. (2003). An overview of APSIM, a model designed for farming systems simulation. European Journal of Agronomy 18:267–288.Google Scholar
Lamers, J., Bruentrup, M. and Buerkert, A. (1998). The profitability of traditional and innovative mulching techniques using millet crop residues in the West African Sahel. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 67:23–35.Google Scholar
Macharia, J. (2012). Stakeholders’ knowledge levels and training needs in soil fertility management technologies in the central highlands of Kenya, Thesis (Msc). Kenyatta University, Kenya.Google Scholar
Mburu, M. W. K. and Kamoni, P. T. (2003). Influence of irrigation on maize growth, leaf area index, yield and nitrogen uptake in a semi-arid environment in Kenya. East African Journal for Agriculture 69:99–108.Google Scholar
McCarthy, J. J., Canziani, O. F., Leary, N. A., Dokken, D. J. and White, K. S. (2007). Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Micheni, A. N., Kihanda, F. M., Warren, G. P. and Probert, M. E. (2004). Testing the APSIM model with experiment data from the long term manure experiment at Machang’a (Embu), Kenya. Canberra: Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).Google Scholar
Mucheru-Muna, M., Ngetich, F., Mugendi, D. N., Mugwe, J. N., Mairura, F., Vanlauwe, B., Jan Diels, and Merckx, R. (2013). Organic inputs and mineral fertilizer effects on soil chemical properties, soil water content and maize productivity in Mbeere district, Kenya. Agroforestry Systems 69:189–197.Google Scholar
Mucheru-Muna, M., Pypers, P., Mugendi, D., Kung’u, J., Mugwe, J., Merck, R. and Vanlauwe, B. (2009). A staggered maize-legume intercrop arrangement robustly increases crop yields and economic returns in the highlands of central Kenya. Field Crops Research 115:132–139.Google Scholar
Mugwe, J., Mugendi, D., Mucheru-Muna, M., Merckx, R., Chianu, J. and Vanlauwe, B. (2006). Determinants of the decision to adopt integrated soil fertility management practices by smallholder farmers in the central highlands of Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 45:61–75.Google Scholar
Mupangwa, W., Dimes, J. 1, Walker, S. and Twomlow, S. (2011). Measuring and simulating maize (Zea mays l.) Yield responses to reduced tillage and mulching under semi-arid conditions. Agricultural Science 2:167–174.Google Scholar
Mupangwa, W., Twomlow, S. and Walker, S. (2007). The influence of conservation tillage methods on soil water regimes in semi-arid Southern Zimbabwe. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 33:762–767.Google Scholar
Mureithi, J. G., Taylor, R. and Thorpe, W. (1995). Productivity of alley farming with leucaena (Leucaena Leucocephala) and napier grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) In Coastal Lowland Kenya. Agroforestry Systems 31:59–78.Google Scholar
Nash, J. E. and Sutcliffe, J. V. (1970). River flow forecasting through conceptual models: a discussion of principles. Journal of Hydrology 10:282–290.Google Scholar
Ngetich, F. K. (2012). Enhancing farmers’ agricultural productivity through improved field management practices in the central Highlands of Kenya, Thesis (PhD), Department of Agricultural Resource Management, Kenyatta University, Kenya.Google Scholar
Schlecht, E., Buerkert, A., Tielkes, E. and Bationo, A. (2006). A critical analysis of challenges and opportunities for soil fertility restoration in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agro Ecosystems 76:109–136.Google Scholar
Shapiro, B. I. and Sanders, J. H. (1998). Fertilizer use in semi-arid west Africa: profitability and supporting policy. Agricultural Systems 56:467–482.Google Scholar
Sinaj, S., Buerkert, A., El-Hajj, G., Bationo, A., Traoré, H. and Frossard, E. (2001). Effects of fertility management strategies on phosphorus bio-availability in four West African soils. Plant and Soil 233:71–83.Google Scholar
Sprague, U. and Dudley, L. (1988). Field studies of crop response to water and salt stress. Soil Science Society of America Journal 65:1522–2001.Google Scholar
Subbarao, G. V., Renard, C., Bationo, A., van Duivenbooden, N. and Bielders, C. (1999). Alternative technologies for the Sahelian crop production systems in West Africa. Management of Arid Ecosystem 6:121–132.Google Scholar
Yamoah, C. F., Bationo, A., Shapiro, B. and Koala, S. (2002). Trend and stability analyses of millet yields treated with fertilizer and crop residues in the sahel. Field Crops and Research 75:55–62.Google Scholar