Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-t5pn6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T01:41:14.851Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and manure application on storage of carbon and nitrogen under continuous maize cropping in Arenosols and Luvisols of Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2015

L. MUJURU ,
L. RUSINAMHODZI ,
J. NYAMANGARA  and
M. R. HOOSBEEK
L. MUJURU*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, Private Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
L. RUSINAMHODZI
Affiliation:
CIMMYT, P.O. Box MP 163, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
J. NYAMANGARA
Affiliation:
Chinhoyi University of Technology, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
M. R. HOOSBEEK
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
*
*To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Email: lzzmjr2009@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Soil organic matter (SOM) is important for long-term crop productivity through maintenance of soil quality and is also now receiving attention due to its potential for climate change mitigation. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of 9 years of fertilization on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total organic nitrogen (TON) and their fractions for the 0–50 cm profile in clayey (Luvisols) and sandy (Arenosols) soils in Murewa District, Zimbabwe. Three treatments were assessed: unfertilized (Control), nitrogen fertilizer (Nfert) and nitrogen fertilizer plus cattle manure (Nfert+manure). Density fractionation was used to assess the distribution of SOC and TON in three SOM fractions and their sensitivity to fertilization in fields 0–50 m away from homesteads (Homefields) and > 100 m away from homesteads (outfields). The relationship between light and heavy fraction organic carbon (C) were analysed to determine equilibrium levels that give an indication of carbon storage potential. In clayey soils total organic C under Nfert+manure was 4% higher than Nfert and 16% higher than the control. In sandy soils, SOC stocks were lowest in the control and highest in Nfert treatments at all depths. Nine years of fertilization significantly influenced SOC concentrations and storage up to 20 cm depth, below which stocks and concentrations of C and N were statistically insignificant. Distribution of C and N in density fractions showed greater stabilization under Nfert+manure in clayey soils, whereas it was greater under Nfert in sandy soils. Estimation of equilibrium levels suggested that homefields had potential to store more C, whereas outfields and control treatments had limited capacity due to attainment of lower equilibrium levels. Application of manure can be a low-cost alternative for enhancing soil quality and promoting soil C sequestration under conventionally tilled continuous maize cropping systems in Zimbabwe.

Type
Climate Change and Agriculture Research Papers
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 154 , Issue 2 , March 2016 , pp. 242 - 257
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

Banger, K., Kukal, S. S., Toor, G., Sudhir, K. & Hanumanthraju, T. H. (2009). Impact of long term additions of chemical fertilizers and farm yard manure on carbon and nitrogen sequestration under rice–cowpea cropping system in semi-arid tropics. Plant and Soil 318, 27–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Banger, K., Toor, G. S., Biswas, A., Sidhu, S. S. & Sudhir, S. (2010). Soil organic carbon fractions after 16-years of applications of fertilizers and organic manure in a Typic Rhodalfs in semi-arid tropics. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 86, 391–399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berzsenyi, Z., Györffy, B. & Lap, D. Q. (2000). Effect of crop rotation and fertilisation on maize and wheat yields and yield stability in a long-term experiment. European Journal of Agronomy 13, 225–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bolster, C. H. & Hornberger, G. M. (2007). On the use of linearized Langmuir equations. Soil Science Society of America Journal 71, 1796–1806.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brar, B. S., Singh, K., Dheri, G. S. & Balwinder-Kumar, (2013). Carbon sequestration and soil carbon pools in a rice–wheat cropping system: effect of long-term use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure. Soil and Tillage Research 128, 30–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bremer, E., Janzen, H. H. & Johnston, A. M. (1994). Sensitivity of total, light fraction and mineralizable organic matter to management practices in a Lethbridge soil. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 74, 131–138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campbell, C. A., Janzen, H. H. & Juma, N. G. (1997). Case studies of soil quality in the Canadian prairies: long-term field experiments. In Soil Quality for Crop Production (Eds Gregorich, E. G. & Carter, M. R.), pp. 351–397. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science.Google Scholar
Chivenge, P. P., Murwira, H. K., Giller, K. E., Mapfumo, P. & Six, J. (2007). Long-term impact of reduced tillage and residue management on soil carbon stabilization: implications for conservation agriculture on contrasting soils. Soil and Tillage Research 94, 328–337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Compton, J. E. & Boone, R. D. (2000). Long term impacts of agriculture on soil carbon and nitrogen in New England forests. Ecology 81, 2314–2330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalal, R. C. & Mayer, R. J. (1986). Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. II. Total organic carbon and its rate of loss from the soil profile. Australian Journal of Soil Research 24, 281–292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de la Jimenez, M. P., de la Horra, A. M., Pruzzo, L. & Palma, R. M. (2002). Soil quality: a new index based on microbiological and biochemical parameters. Biology and Fertility of Soils 35, 302–306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Rouw, A., Huon, S., Soulileuth, B., Jouquet, P., Pierret, A., Ribolzi, O., Valentin, C., Bourdon, E. & Chantharath, B. (2010). Possibilities of carbon and nitrogen sequestration under conventional tillage and no-till cover crop farming (Mekong valley, Laos). Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 136, 148–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ding, X., Han, X., Liang, Y., Quao, Y., Li, L. & Li, N. (2012). Changes in soil organic carbon pools after 10 yeras of continuous manuring combined with chemical fertilizer in a Mollisol in China. Soil and Tillage Research 122, 36–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunjana, N., Nyamugafata, P., Shumba, A., Nyamangara, J. & Zingore, S. (2012). Effects of cattle manure on selected soil physical properties of smallholder farms on two soils of Murewa, Zimbabwe. Soil Use and Management 28, 221–228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eghball, B. & Ginting, D. (2003). Carbon Sequestration Following Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure, Compost, and Fertilizer Applications. Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. Paper 225. Lincoln, NE, USA: The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Available from: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/225 (verified April 2015).Google Scholar
FAO (2006). Fertilizer Use by Crop in Zimbabwe. Rome: FAO. Available from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0395e/a0395e00.htm (verified April 2015).Google Scholar
FAO/IIASA/ISRIC/ISSCAS/JRC (2012). Harmonized World Soil Database (version 1.2). Rome & Laxenburg, Austria: FAO & IIASA. Available from: http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-survey/soil-maps-and-databases/harmonized-world-soil-database-v12/en/ (verified April 2015).Google Scholar
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (2010). Soil for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Committee on Agriculture. Twenty-second Session. Rome, 16–19 June 2010. Rome: FAO. Available from: www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/018/k8112e.pdfGoogle Scholar
Golchin, A., Oades, J. M., Skjemstad, J. O. & Clarke, P. (1994). Soil structure and carbon cycling. Australian Journal of Soil Research 32, 1043–1068.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gong, W., Yan, X., Wang, J., Hu, T. & Gong, Y. (2009). Long-term manure and fertilizer effects on soil organic matter fractions and microbes under a wheat–maize cropping system in northern China. Geoderma 149, 318–324.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gregorich, E. G. & Ellert, B. H. (1993). Light fraction and macroorganic matter in mineral soils. In Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis (Ed. Carter, M. R.), pp. 397–407. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.Google Scholar
Gregorich, E. G. & Janzen, H. H. (1996). Storage of soil carbon in the light fraction and macro-organic matter. In Structure and Soil Organic Matter Storage in Agricultural Soils (Eds Carter, M. R. & Stewart, B. A.), pp. 167–190. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.Google Scholar
Gulde, S., Chung, H., Amelung, W., Chang, C. & Six, J. (2008). Soil carbon saturation controls labile and stable carbon pool dynamics. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72, 605–612.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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. Agricultural Systems 94, 459–470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hao, Y., Lal, R., Owens, L. B., Izaurralde, R. C., Post, W. M. & Hothem, D. L. (2002). Effect of cropland management and slope position on soil organic carbon pool at the North Appalachian Experimental Watersheds. Soil and Tillage Research 68, 133–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hassink, J. (1997). The capacity of soils to preserve organic C and N by their association with clay and silt particles. Plant and Soil 191, 77–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Havlin, J. L., Kissel, D. E., Maddux, L. D., Claassen, M. M. & Long, J. H. (1990). Crop rotation and tillage effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Soil Science Society of America Journal 54, 448–452.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haynes, R. J. (2000). Labile organic matter as an indicator of organic matter quality in arable and pastoral soils in New Zealand. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32, 211–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hofmann, A., Heim, A., Gioacchini, P., Miltner, A., Gehre, M. & Schmidt, M. W. I. (2009). Mineral fertilisation did not affect decay of old lignin and SOC in a 13C-labeled arable soil over 36 years. Biogeosciences 6, 1139–1148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Janzen, H. H., Campbell, C. A., Brandt, S. A., Lafond, G. P. & Townley-Smith, L. (1992). Light-fraction organic matter in soils from long-term crop rotations. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56, 1799–1806.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lal, R. (2004). Carbon sequestration in dryland ecosystems. Environmental Management 33, 528–544.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Li, Z., Liu, M., Wu, X., Han, F. & Zhang, T. (2010). Effects of long-term chemical fertilization and organic amendments on dynamics of soil organic C and total N in paddy soil derived from barren land in subtropical China. Soil and Tillage Research 106, 268–274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, X. B. (2004). Changes in soil quality under different agricultural management in the Chinese Mollisols. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.Google Scholar
Liu, X. B., Liu, J. D., Xing, B., Herbert, S. J. & Zhang, X. Y. (2005). Effects of long-term continuous cropping, tillage, and fertilization on soil organic carbon and nitrogen of black soils in China. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 36, 1229–1239.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mafongoya, P. L. & Dzowela, B. H. (1999). Biomass production of tree fallows and their residual effect on maize in Zimbabwe. Agroforestry Systems 47, 139–151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manna, M. C., Swarup, A., Wanjari, R. H., Ravankar, H. N., Mishra, B., Saha, M. N., Singh, Y. V., Sahi, D. K. & Sarap, P. A. (2005). Long-term effect of fertilizer and manure application on soil organic carbon storage, soil quality and yield sustainability under sub-humid and semi-arid tropical India. Field Crops Research 93, 264–280.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mapfumo, P. & Giller, K. E. (2001). Soil Fertility Management Strategies and Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Semi-arid Areas of Zimbabwe. Patancheru, India: ICRISAT.Google Scholar
Marongwe, L. S., Kwazira, K., Jenrich, M., Thierfelder, C., Kassam, A. & Friedrich, T. (2011). An African success: the case of conservation agriculture in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 9, 153–161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Masvaya, E. N., Nyamangara, J., Nyawasha, R. W., Zingore, S., Delve, R. J. & Giller, K. E. (2010). Effect of farmer management strategies on spatial variability of soil fertility and crop nutrient uptake in contrasting agro-ecological zones in Zimbabwe. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 88, 111–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matsumoto, N., Paisancharoen, K. & Hakamata, T. (2008). Carbon balance in maize fields under cattle manure application and no-tillage cultivation in Northeast Thailand. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 54, 277–288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mirsky, S. B., Lanyon, L. E. & Needelman, B. A. (2008). Evaluating soil management using particulate and chemically labile soil organic matter fractions. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72, 180–185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mtambanengwe, F. & Mapfumo, P. (2005). Organic matter management as an underlying cause for soil fertility gradients on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 73, 227–243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mujuru, L., Mureva, A., Velthorst, E. J. & Hoosbeek, M. R. (2013). Land use and management effects on soil organic matter fractions in Rhodic Feralsols and Haplic Arenosols in Bindura and Shamva districts of Zimbabwe. Geoderma 209–210, 262–272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nyamangara, J., Bergström, L. F., Piha, M. I. & Giller, K. E. (2003). Fertilizer use efficiency and nitrate leaching in a tropical sandy soil. Journal of Environmental Quality 32, 599–606.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nyamapfene, K. W. (1991). Soils of Zimbabwe. Harare, Zimbabwe: Nehanda Publishers (Pvt) Ltd.Google Scholar
Parton, W. J., Schimel, D. S., Cole, C. V. & Ojima, D. S. (1987). Analysis of factors controlling soil organic matter levels in Great Plains grasslands. Soil Science Society of America Journal 51, 1173–1179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paul, J. W. & Beauchamp, E. G. (1996). Soil microbial biomass C, N mineralization, and N uptake by corn in dairy cattle slurry- and urea-amended soils. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 76, 469–472.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Purakayastha, T. J., Chhonkar, P. K., Bhadraray, S., Patra, A. K., Verma, V. & Khan, M. A. (2007). Long-term effects of different land use and soil management on various organic carbon fractions in an Inceptisol of subtropical India. Australian Journal of Soil Research 45, 33–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Purakayastha, T. J., Rudrappa, L., Singh, D., Swarup, A. & Bhadraray, S. (2008). Long-term impact of fertilizers on soil organic carbon pools and sequestration rates in maize–wheat–cowpea cropping system. Geoderma 144, 370–378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rasmussen, P. E., Allmaras, R. R., Rohde, C. R. & Roager, N. C. (1980). Crop residue influences on soil carbon and nitrogen in a wheat-fallow system. Soil Science Society of America Journal 44, 596–600.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roscoe, R., Buurman, P., Velthost, E. J. & Pereira, J. A. A. (2000). Effects of fire on soil organic matter in cerrado sensu stricto’ from Southeast Brazil as revealed by changes in δ13 C. Geoderma 95, 141–160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rudrappa, L., Purakayestha, T. J., Singh, D. & Bhadraray, S. (2006). Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a Typic Haplustept of semi-arid sub-tropical India. Soil and Tillage Research 88, 180–192.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rufino, M. C., Dury, D., Tittonell, P., van Wijk, M. T., Herrero, M., Zingore, S., Mapfumo, P. & Giller, K. E. (2011). Competing use of organic resources, village=level interaction between farm types and climate variability in a communal area of NE Zimbabwe. Agricultural Systems 104, 175–190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rusinamhodzi, L., Corbeels, M., Van Wijk, M. T., Rufino, M. C., Nyamangara, J. & Giller, K. E. (2011). A meta-analysis of long-term effects of conservation agriculture on maize grain yield under rain-fed conditions. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 31, 657–673.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rusinamhodzi, L., Corbeels, M., Zingore, S., Nyamangara, J. & Giller, K. E. (2013). Pushing the envelope? Maize production intensification and the role of cattle manure in recovery of degraded soils in smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe. Field Crops Research 147, 40–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Šimon, T. (2008). The influence of long-term organic and mineral fertilization on soil organic matter. Soil and Water Research 3, 41–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Six, J., Elliott, E. T. & Paustian, K. (2000). Soil macroaggregate turnover and microaggregate formation: a mechanism for C sequestration under no-tillage agriculture. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32, 2099–2103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, P., Powlson, D. S., Glendining, M. J. & Smith, J. U. (1998). Preliminary estimates of the potential for carbon mitigation in European soils through no-till farming. Global Change Biology 4, 679–685.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stroosnijder, L. & Hoogmoed, W. (2004). The contribution of soil and water conservation to carbon sequestration in semi arid Africa. Bulletin Réseau Erosion 23, 523–539.Google Scholar
Swanston, C., Homann, P. S., Caldwell, B. A., Myrold, D. D., Ganio, L. & Sollins, P. (2004). Long-term effects of elevated nitrogen on forest soil organic matter stability. Biogeochemistry 70, 227–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swanston, C. W., Torn, M. S., Hanson, P. J., Southon, J. R., Garten, C. T., Hanlon, E. M. & Ganio, L. (2005). Initial characterization of processes of soil carbon stabilization using forest stand-level radiocarbon enrichment. Geoderma 128, 52–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tan, Z., Lal, R., Owens, L. & Izaurralde, R. C. (2007). Distribution of light and heavy fractions of soil organic carbon as related to land use and tillage practice. Soil and Tillage Research 92, 53–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tittonell, P., Vanlauwe, B., Leffelaar, P. A., Shepherd, K. D. & Giller, K. E. (2005). Exploring diversity in soil fertility management of smallholder farms in western Kenya II. Within-farm variability in resource allocation, nutrient flows and soil fertility status. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 110, 166–184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tittonell, P., Muriuki, A., Klapwijk, C. J., Shepherd, K. D., Coe, R. & Vanlauwe, B. (2013). Soil heterogeneity and soil fertility gradients in smallholder agricultural systems of the East African Highlands. Soil Science Society of America Journal 77, 525–538.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
United Nations (1998). Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Bonn, Germany: UNFCCC Secretariat. Available from: http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php (verified April 2015).Google Scholar
von Lützow, M., Kögel-Knabner, I., Ekschmitt, K., Matzner, E., Guggenberger, G., Marschner, B. & Flessa, H. (2006). Stabilization of organic matter in temperate soils: mechanisms and their relevance under different soil conditions – a review. European Journal of Soil Science 57, 426–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
von Lützow, M., Kögel-Knabner, I., Ludwig, B., Matzner, E., Flessa, H., Ekschmitt, K., Guggenberger, G., Marschner, B. & Kalbitz, K. (2008). Stabilization mechanisms of organic matter in four temperate soils: development and application of a conceptual model. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 171, 111–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, T. Y., Schoenau, J. J., Li, F. M., Qian, P. Y., Malhi, S. S., Shi, Y. C. & Xue, F. L. (2004). Influence of cultivation and fertilisation on total organic carbon fractions in soils from Loess Plateau of China. Soil and Tillage Research 77, 59–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yin, Y. F. & Cai, Z. C. (2006). Equilibrium of organic matter in heavy fraction for three long term experimental field soils in China. Pedosphere 16, 177–184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yin, Y. F., Cai, Z. C. & Lu, J. L. (2005). Relationship between light and heavy fractions of organic matter for several agricultural soils in China. Journal of Environmental Sciences 17, 917–920.Google ScholarPubMed
Zingore, S., Murwira, H. K., Delve, R. J. & Giller, K. E. (2007 a). Soil type, management history and current resource allocation: three dimensions regulating variability in crop productivity on African smallholder farms. Field Crops Research 101, 296–305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zingore, S., Murwira, H. K., Delve, R. J. & Giller, K. E. (2007 b). Influence of nutrient management strategies on variability of soil fertility, crop yields and nutrient balances on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 119, 112–126.CrossRefGoogle 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.CrossRefGoogle Scholar