The use of microbial inoculants and less expensive sources of plant nutrients such as foliar fert... more The use of microbial inoculants and less expensive sources of plant nutrients such as foliar fertilizers are ways to practice low-input agriculture, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where smallholder farmers' soil nutrients are depleted. However, the application of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers are influenced by agroecological specific factors. Here we show the effects of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers application on soybean, under smallholder farmers' conditions in northern Guinea savannah. Three microbial inoculants; Bradyrhizobium spp. (RACA 6), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizatech) and Trichoderma harzianum (Eco-T) and two foliar fertilizers; Agroleaf high P and Agrolyser were evaluated. The trial was carried out during 2011 cropping season in randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 4 replicates. The shoot dry weight was increased separately by the Reference treatment with N, P chemical fertilizers, Rhizatech and RACA 6 + t...
Inoculation of promiscuous soybean with rhizobia has been proven to improve yield. Screenhouse po... more Inoculation of promiscuous soybean with rhizobia has been proven to improve yield. Screenhouse pot experiments were conducted to assess the response of promiscuous soybean, TGx1448-2E to rhizobia inoculation and to determine the relative efficiency of indigenous rhizobia from soils collected from the Northern and Southern Guinea and Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Soils were collected at 0 to 20 cm depth from 45 sites spread in 15 local government areas of Kaduna and Kano states. The treatments used were uninoculated control, mineral nitrogen and Legumefix, a commercial rhizobia inoculant which were arranged in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Nodulation and biomass were assessed at eight weeks after planting. Response to inoculation and relative efficiency were also determined. The results showed that response to inoculation was higher in the Sudan Savanna than in the Northern Guinea Savanna. These were observed in 12 out of 21 and 9 out ...
High concentration of nitrate in surface and ground water is a universal water pollution challeng... more High concentration of nitrate in surface and ground water is a universal water pollution challenge for several. Four biochar samples were produced and subjected to batch sorption experiment. Data obtained were fitted into the linear forms of four adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. Least square regression analysis was used to test the best fitting isotherm and kinetic model using the coefficient of determination (R2). Results revealed that only maize cob biochar (MCB) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) had the ability to adsorb nitrate with maximum quantities of adsorbed nitrate (73.915 and 133.887 mgg-1). Similarly, adsorption kinetics indicated better fitting of the adsorption data onto the linear form of the pseudo second order kinetics (PSOK) model. Lower R2 values recorded by the intra particle diffusion and Elovich adsorption kinetic models suggest that the adsorption process was physical and intra- particle diffusion was not the rate controlling step. Similarly, 99% change...
Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at the Research farm of t... more Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at the Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru northern guinea savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria to study growth rate and yield of tomato under green manure and NPK fertilizer rates. Treatment consisted of two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UC82B), four rates of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha−1), and three rates of green manure (0, 5, and 10 t ha−1), laid in a split-plot design with three replications. The variety and fertilizer constituted the main plot while green manure was allocated in subplot. Both varieties responded linearly in growth stages of 5 and 7 weeks after transplanting (WAT) on plant height, relative growth rate, and crop growth rate (CGR). However, UC82B proves superior over Roma VF on growth indices CGR at 5–7 WAT, net assimilation rate (NAR) at 7–9 WAT, and total fruit yield with 10.6% higher. Application of NPK fertilizer significantly increa...
Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 2005
... 1 AA Yusuf , IY Amapu, AF Eben-Johnson and VO Chude Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Ag... more ... 1 AA Yusuf , IY Amapu, AF Eben-Johnson and VO Chude Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture/Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1044, Zaria, Nigeria. ... Available phosphorus was determined by Bray no. ...
Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 2006
Abstract The response of maize (Zea mays L.) variety TZSR-Y grown on soils collected from thirty ... more Abstract The response of maize (Zea mays L.) variety TZSR-Y grown on soils collected from thirty (30) 1 different locations in northern Nigeria to applied zinc fertilization was examined in two screenhouse pot experiments. The Mehlich I extractable soil zinc (Zn) ranged from 0.6 to 4.1 mgkg-1 with a mean of 2.00 mgkg-1. Due to the wide variations observed in the initial Mehlcih 1 extractable Zn and the large sample soils involved, two fertilizer rates (0 and 10 mgkg-1) were used to determine maize response to applied Zn. In many of the soils, yield ...
Maize is an economically important crop that utilizes nutrients efficiently in the production of ... more Maize is an economically important crop that utilizes nutrients efficiently in the production of optimum biomass and grain yield per unit hectarage. Optimum maize production is, however, constrained by the absence or inadequate use of different sources of nutrients. Hence, this study evaluated the efficacy of mycorrhiza (Glomygel), single superphosphate (SSP), and liquid organic manure (Agriboom) on the performance of maize in a greenhouse study. These treatments were systematically combined with and without urea and muriate of potash (MOP), using split–plot arrangement, to enhance higher precision in evaluating their effects. Agriboom + 100%SSP significantly increased the root dry weight of maize at p ≤ .05 compared to Glomygel, Agriboom, and Glomygel + Agriboom. With the addition of urea and MOP, Glomygel + 50%SSP significantly increased the root to shoot dry weight ratio by 173%. Glomygel and Agriboom significantly increased maize N concentration and the application of Agriboom s...
The use of rhizobium inoculants for improvement in nitrogen-fixation and productivity of grain le... more The use of rhizobium inoculants for improvement in nitrogen-fixation and productivity of grain legumes has been well established in developed countries. However, the practice is still under-utilized in Nigeria. Nitrogen (N) is the most frequently deficient nutrient for crop production, while nitrogen fertilizers are costly, inadequate, and may not be timely in supply. These make rhizobia inoculants a cheaper, easier and safer option to improve the N2-fixation and productivity of grain legumes. Inoculant use in Nigeria was initiated in the 1970s, but still remains very limited. Studies conducted on inoculant use were initially on “US type” Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), which has been found to require specific inoculation with Bradyrhizobim japonicum for optimum productivity. Studies were also conducted on inoculation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), but rarely on bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) and groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). In the 1980...
Climate change is estimated to substantially reduce crop yields in Sub-Saharan West Africa by 205... more Climate change is estimated to substantially reduce crop yields in Sub-Saharan West Africa by 2050. Yet, a limited number of studies also suggest that several adaptation measures may mitigate the effects of climate change induced yield loss. In this paper, we used AquaCrop, a process-based model developed by the FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy), to quantify the risk of climate change on several key cereal crops in the Niger Basin. The crops analyzed include maize, millet, and sorghum under rain fed cultivation systems in various agro-ecological zones within the Niger Basin. We also investigated several adaptation strategies, including changes in the sowing dates, soil nutrient status, and cultivar. Future climate change is estimated using nine ensemble bias-corrected climate model projection results under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (RCP-Representative Concentration Pathway) emissions scenario at mid future time period, 2021/25-2050. The results show that on average, temperature had a larger effect on crop yields so that the increase in precipitation could still be a net loss of crop yield. Our simulated results showed that climate change effects on maize and sorghum yield would be mostly positive (2% to 6% increase) in the Southern Guinea savanna zone while at the Northern Guinea savanna zone it is mostly negative (2% to 20% decrease). The results show that at the Sahelian zone the projected changes in temperature and precipitation have little to no impact on millet yield for the future time period, 2021/25-2050. In all agro-ecological zones, increasing soil fertility from poor fertility to moderate, near optimal and optimal level significantly reversed the negative yield change respectively by over 20%, 70% and 180% for moderate fertility, near optimal fertility, and optimal fertility. Thus, management or adaptation factors, such as soil fertility, had a much larger effect on crop yield than the climatic change factors. These results provide actionable guidance on effective climate change adaptation strategies for rain fed agriculture in the region.
The adaptability of cassava to low fertile and marginal soils facilitates its production in subsi... more The adaptability of cassava to low fertile and marginal soils facilitates its production in subsistent agriculture. As a result, smallholder farmers rarely apply fertilizers. The current yield gap is therefore very large, calling for application of fertilizers and soil amendments to improve its productivity. Field experiments were carried out to assess the potential of partially substituting Phosphorus (P) fertilizers by in vitro-produced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculants in cassava production in two agro-ecologies of Nigeria: Northern Guinea Savanna (Samaru) and Sudan Savanna (Minjibir). The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with P levels (0, 17.5, 35 and 52.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1) as main plot and AMF inoculants (Control, Glomygel, Glomygel carrier, Mycodrip, Mycodrip carrier) as subplots. The results in Samaru showed that there was significant interaction between AMF and P in root fresh weight, total biomass and root to shoot ratio. The root fresh weights of the inoculated cassava increased proportionally with application of P. However, highest root fresh weight of cassava inoculated with Glomygel was observed at 35 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 recording 25% yield increase compared to 52.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 application. Interestingly, Cassava inoculated with Glomygel at 17.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 gave root fresh yield statistically similar to where 35 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 was applied. This represented a 50% reduction in P fertilizer use. Also, cassava inoculated with Glomygel increased leaf nutrient concentrations, which strongly correlated with the root fresh yield. However, no effects of inoculant carriers were observed in yield and nutrient concentrations. Contrarily, there was no significant treatment effect in Minjibir for nearly all the measured parameters. Cassava yield was however, higher in Minjibir than Samaru probably due to soil fertility and structural differences, which resulted in few observable effects of AMF and P treatments at Minjibir. We conclude that under low P conditions inoculation with in vitro produced AMF inoculants could be employed to reduce P fertilizer requirements for cassava and improve yields, but the variability of the responses as a result of soil heterogeneity and the identity of the fungal strain in the inoculant require further investigations before recommending the practice.
... Page 3. AA Yusuf et al. 621 ... Total P in the digest was determined colorimetrically after c... more ... Page 3. AA Yusuf et al. 621 ... Total P in the digest was determined colorimetrically after colour development by ascorbic acid. Available phos-phorus was determined by Bray no. 1 method (0.025 N HCl + 0.03 N NH4F) as described by Bray and Kurz (1945). ...
The use of microbial inoculants and less expensive sources of plant nutrients such as foliar fert... more The use of microbial inoculants and less expensive sources of plant nutrients such as foliar fertilizers are ways to practice low-input agriculture, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where smallholder farmers' soil nutrients are depleted. However, the application of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers are influenced by agroecological specific factors. Here we show the effects of microbial inoculants and foliar fertilizers application on soybean, under smallholder farmers' conditions in northern Guinea savannah. Three microbial inoculants; Bradyrhizobium spp. (RACA 6), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizatech) and Trichoderma harzianum (Eco-T) and two foliar fertilizers; Agroleaf high P and Agrolyser were evaluated. The trial was carried out during 2011 cropping season in randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 4 replicates. The shoot dry weight was increased separately by the Reference treatment with N, P chemical fertilizers, Rhizatech and RACA 6 + t...
Inoculation of promiscuous soybean with rhizobia has been proven to improve yield. Screenhouse po... more Inoculation of promiscuous soybean with rhizobia has been proven to improve yield. Screenhouse pot experiments were conducted to assess the response of promiscuous soybean, TGx1448-2E to rhizobia inoculation and to determine the relative efficiency of indigenous rhizobia from soils collected from the Northern and Southern Guinea and Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Soils were collected at 0 to 20 cm depth from 45 sites spread in 15 local government areas of Kaduna and Kano states. The treatments used were uninoculated control, mineral nitrogen and Legumefix, a commercial rhizobia inoculant which were arranged in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Nodulation and biomass were assessed at eight weeks after planting. Response to inoculation and relative efficiency were also determined. The results showed that response to inoculation was higher in the Sudan Savanna than in the Northern Guinea Savanna. These were observed in 12 out of 21 and 9 out ...
High concentration of nitrate in surface and ground water is a universal water pollution challeng... more High concentration of nitrate in surface and ground water is a universal water pollution challenge for several. Four biochar samples were produced and subjected to batch sorption experiment. Data obtained were fitted into the linear forms of four adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. Least square regression analysis was used to test the best fitting isotherm and kinetic model using the coefficient of determination (R2). Results revealed that only maize cob biochar (MCB) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) had the ability to adsorb nitrate with maximum quantities of adsorbed nitrate (73.915 and 133.887 mgg-1). Similarly, adsorption kinetics indicated better fitting of the adsorption data onto the linear form of the pseudo second order kinetics (PSOK) model. Lower R2 values recorded by the intra particle diffusion and Elovich adsorption kinetic models suggest that the adsorption process was physical and intra- particle diffusion was not the rate controlling step. Similarly, 99% change...
Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at the Research farm of t... more Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at the Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru northern guinea savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria to study growth rate and yield of tomato under green manure and NPK fertilizer rates. Treatment consisted of two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UC82B), four rates of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (0, 150, 300, and 450 kg ha−1), and three rates of green manure (0, 5, and 10 t ha−1), laid in a split-plot design with three replications. The variety and fertilizer constituted the main plot while green manure was allocated in subplot. Both varieties responded linearly in growth stages of 5 and 7 weeks after transplanting (WAT) on plant height, relative growth rate, and crop growth rate (CGR). However, UC82B proves superior over Roma VF on growth indices CGR at 5–7 WAT, net assimilation rate (NAR) at 7–9 WAT, and total fruit yield with 10.6% higher. Application of NPK fertilizer significantly increa...
Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 2005
... 1 AA Yusuf , IY Amapu, AF Eben-Johnson and VO Chude Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Ag... more ... 1 AA Yusuf , IY Amapu, AF Eben-Johnson and VO Chude Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture/Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, PMB 1044, Zaria, Nigeria. ... Available phosphorus was determined by Bray no. ...
Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 2006
Abstract The response of maize (Zea mays L.) variety TZSR-Y grown on soils collected from thirty ... more Abstract The response of maize (Zea mays L.) variety TZSR-Y grown on soils collected from thirty (30) 1 different locations in northern Nigeria to applied zinc fertilization was examined in two screenhouse pot experiments. The Mehlich I extractable soil zinc (Zn) ranged from 0.6 to 4.1 mgkg-1 with a mean of 2.00 mgkg-1. Due to the wide variations observed in the initial Mehlcih 1 extractable Zn and the large sample soils involved, two fertilizer rates (0 and 10 mgkg-1) were used to determine maize response to applied Zn. In many of the soils, yield ...
Maize is an economically important crop that utilizes nutrients efficiently in the production of ... more Maize is an economically important crop that utilizes nutrients efficiently in the production of optimum biomass and grain yield per unit hectarage. Optimum maize production is, however, constrained by the absence or inadequate use of different sources of nutrients. Hence, this study evaluated the efficacy of mycorrhiza (Glomygel), single superphosphate (SSP), and liquid organic manure (Agriboom) on the performance of maize in a greenhouse study. These treatments were systematically combined with and without urea and muriate of potash (MOP), using split–plot arrangement, to enhance higher precision in evaluating their effects. Agriboom + 100%SSP significantly increased the root dry weight of maize at p ≤ .05 compared to Glomygel, Agriboom, and Glomygel + Agriboom. With the addition of urea and MOP, Glomygel + 50%SSP significantly increased the root to shoot dry weight ratio by 173%. Glomygel and Agriboom significantly increased maize N concentration and the application of Agriboom s...
The use of rhizobium inoculants for improvement in nitrogen-fixation and productivity of grain le... more The use of rhizobium inoculants for improvement in nitrogen-fixation and productivity of grain legumes has been well established in developed countries. However, the practice is still under-utilized in Nigeria. Nitrogen (N) is the most frequently deficient nutrient for crop production, while nitrogen fertilizers are costly, inadequate, and may not be timely in supply. These make rhizobia inoculants a cheaper, easier and safer option to improve the N2-fixation and productivity of grain legumes. Inoculant use in Nigeria was initiated in the 1970s, but still remains very limited. Studies conducted on inoculant use were initially on “US type” Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), which has been found to require specific inoculation with Bradyrhizobim japonicum for optimum productivity. Studies were also conducted on inoculation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), but rarely on bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) and groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). In the 1980...
Climate change is estimated to substantially reduce crop yields in Sub-Saharan West Africa by 205... more Climate change is estimated to substantially reduce crop yields in Sub-Saharan West Africa by 2050. Yet, a limited number of studies also suggest that several adaptation measures may mitigate the effects of climate change induced yield loss. In this paper, we used AquaCrop, a process-based model developed by the FAO (The Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy), to quantify the risk of climate change on several key cereal crops in the Niger Basin. The crops analyzed include maize, millet, and sorghum under rain fed cultivation systems in various agro-ecological zones within the Niger Basin. We also investigated several adaptation strategies, including changes in the sowing dates, soil nutrient status, and cultivar. Future climate change is estimated using nine ensemble bias-corrected climate model projection results under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (RCP-Representative Concentration Pathway) emissions scenario at mid future time period, 2021/25-2050. The results show that on average, temperature had a larger effect on crop yields so that the increase in precipitation could still be a net loss of crop yield. Our simulated results showed that climate change effects on maize and sorghum yield would be mostly positive (2% to 6% increase) in the Southern Guinea savanna zone while at the Northern Guinea savanna zone it is mostly negative (2% to 20% decrease). The results show that at the Sahelian zone the projected changes in temperature and precipitation have little to no impact on millet yield for the future time period, 2021/25-2050. In all agro-ecological zones, increasing soil fertility from poor fertility to moderate, near optimal and optimal level significantly reversed the negative yield change respectively by over 20%, 70% and 180% for moderate fertility, near optimal fertility, and optimal fertility. Thus, management or adaptation factors, such as soil fertility, had a much larger effect on crop yield than the climatic change factors. These results provide actionable guidance on effective climate change adaptation strategies for rain fed agriculture in the region.
The adaptability of cassava to low fertile and marginal soils facilitates its production in subsi... more The adaptability of cassava to low fertile and marginal soils facilitates its production in subsistent agriculture. As a result, smallholder farmers rarely apply fertilizers. The current yield gap is therefore very large, calling for application of fertilizers and soil amendments to improve its productivity. Field experiments were carried out to assess the potential of partially substituting Phosphorus (P) fertilizers by in vitro-produced arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculants in cassava production in two agro-ecologies of Nigeria: Northern Guinea Savanna (Samaru) and Sudan Savanna (Minjibir). The experiments were laid out in a split plot design with P levels (0, 17.5, 35 and 52.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1) as main plot and AMF inoculants (Control, Glomygel, Glomygel carrier, Mycodrip, Mycodrip carrier) as subplots. The results in Samaru showed that there was significant interaction between AMF and P in root fresh weight, total biomass and root to shoot ratio. The root fresh weights of the inoculated cassava increased proportionally with application of P. However, highest root fresh weight of cassava inoculated with Glomygel was observed at 35 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 recording 25% yield increase compared to 52.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 application. Interestingly, Cassava inoculated with Glomygel at 17.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 gave root fresh yield statistically similar to where 35 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1 was applied. This represented a 50% reduction in P fertilizer use. Also, cassava inoculated with Glomygel increased leaf nutrient concentrations, which strongly correlated with the root fresh yield. However, no effects of inoculant carriers were observed in yield and nutrient concentrations. Contrarily, there was no significant treatment effect in Minjibir for nearly all the measured parameters. Cassava yield was however, higher in Minjibir than Samaru probably due to soil fertility and structural differences, which resulted in few observable effects of AMF and P treatments at Minjibir. We conclude that under low P conditions inoculation with in vitro produced AMF inoculants could be employed to reduce P fertilizer requirements for cassava and improve yields, but the variability of the responses as a result of soil heterogeneity and the identity of the fungal strain in the inoculant require further investigations before recommending the practice.
... Page 3. AA Yusuf et al. 621 ... Total P in the digest was determined colorimetrically after c... more ... Page 3. AA Yusuf et al. 621 ... Total P in the digest was determined colorimetrically after colour development by ascorbic acid. Available phos-phorus was determined by Bray no. 1 method (0.025 N HCl + 0.03 N NH4F) as described by Bray and Kurz (1945). ...
Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at Research farm of the I... more Field experiments were conducted in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 dry seasons at Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research (Longitude 11 0 N' N' Latitude 07 0 38 E at altitude of 686m above sea level) Samaru northern guinea savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatment consisted of two tomato varieties (Roma VF and UC82B), four rate of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1), and three rate of green manure (0, 5 and 10 ha-1) the legume specie used laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, NPK fertilizer and variety constitute the main plot while green manure rate was allocated in the subplot. Both varieties were similar in early growth stages of 5 and 7 weeks after transplanting (WAT) on plant height, relative growth rate and crop growth rate (CGR). However UC82B prove superior over Roma VF on growth indices CGR at 5-7 WAT, net assimilation rate (NAR) at 7-9 WAT and total fruit yield with 10.6% higher. Application of NPK fertilizer significantly increased growth such as plant height, crop dry weight and crop growth rate. Similarly NPK fertilization cause significant increased on total fruit yield. Incorporation of green manure resulted to increase in growth and total fruit yield. Application between 250-280 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizers was the most efficient for total fruit yield while 10 t ha-1 green manure was consistently produce higher yield.
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