Skip to main content

Nutrient Management Strategies for Coping with Climate Change in Irrigated Smallholder Cropping Systems in Southern Africa

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Phytoremediation

Abstract

Sound management of soil nutrients is critical for optimizing crop vegetative and reproductive development and realizing high yields in irrigated cropping systems. This paper discusses the work done in Africa and presents lessons from other parts of the world for improved nutrient management under irrigation. Considering the rising temperatures and erratic rainfall as a consequence of climatic change and depleted soil nutrients as a result of continuous cropping, this review offers remedial options for managing soil fertility while optimizing water use and crop yields. The paper intends to inform agricultural policy makers and help farmers and organizations in Africa to manage soil nutrient and water resources efficiently and achieve high yields. Importantly, this discussion should stimulate further research in nutrient and water management under varying ecological scenarios of southern Africa to provide a cogent basis for climate change adaptation interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. FAO (2005) Irrigation in Africa in figures. AQUASTAT survey 2005. Rome, Italy. ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/aglw/docs/wr29_eng.pdf. Accessed 25 July 2013

  2. Nguu NV (1987) Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and soil and crop residues management practices on maize (Zea mays L.) yield in Ultisol of eastern Cameroon. Fert Res 14:135–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Egger K (1990) Ecofarming: a synthesis of old and new. ILEIA Newslett 6:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  4. Okigbo BN (1990) Sustainable agricultural systems in tropical Africa. In: Edwards CA, Lal R, Madden P, Miller RH, House G (eds) Sustainable agricultural systems. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, pp 323–352

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stoorvogel JJ, Smaling EMA, Janssen BH (1993) Calculating soil nutrient balances in Africa at different scales I. Supra-national scale. Fert Res 35:227–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Havlin JL, Beaton JD, Tisdale SL, Nelson WL (2005) Soil fertility and fertilizers: an introduction to nutrient management, 7th edn. Prentice Hall, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  7. Verma A, Tyagi L, Yadav S, Singh SN (2006) Temporal changes in N2O efflux from cropped and fallow agricultural fields. Agric Ecosyst Environ 116:209–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Morgan KT, Kadyampakeni D (2012) Open field hydroponics: concept and application. In: Srivastava AK (eds) Advances in citrus nutrition, pp 271–280

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kadyampakeni DM, Mloza-Banda HR, Singa DD, Mangisoni JH, Ferguson A, Snapp S (2013) Agronomic and socio-economic analysis of water management techniques for dry season cultivation of common bean in Malawi. Irrig Sci 31:537–544. doi:10.1007/s00271-012-0333-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Madramootoo CA, Morrison J (2013) Advances and challenges with micro-irrigation. Irrig Drain 62:255–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Mafongoya PL, Barak P, Reed JD (2000) Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization of tree leaves and manure. Biol Fertil Soils 30:298–305. doi:10.1007/s003740050007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Miller RW, Donahue RL (1992) Soils: an introduction to soils and plant growth, 6th edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  13. Schumann HA (1994) The production of organic and biofertilizers. Agro-Chem News Brief 17:24–31

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sangare SK, Compaore E, Buerkert A, Vanclooster M, Sedogo MP, Bielders CL (2012) Field-scale analysis of water and nutrient use efficiency for vegetable production in a West African urban agricultural system. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 92:207–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Prasad R, Power JF (1997) Soil fertility management for sustainable agriculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 355 p

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kim KI, Clay DE, Carlson CG, Clay SA, Trooien T (2008) Do synergistic relationships between nitrogen and water influence the ability of corn to use nitrogen derived from fertilizer and soil? Agron J 100:551–556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Fandika IR, Kadyampakeni D, Bottomani C, Kakhiwa H (2007) Comparative response of varied irrigated maize to organic and inorganic fertilizer application. Phys Chem Earth 32:1107–1116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zotarelli L, Dukes M, Scholberg J, Hanselman T, Le Femminella K, Munoz-Carpena R (2008) Nitrogen and water use efficiency of zucchini squash for a plastic mulch bed system on a sandy soil. Sci Hortic 116:8–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Zotarelli L, Dukes MD, Scholberg JMS, Munoz-Carpena R, Icerman J (2009) Tomato nitrogen accumulation and fertilizer use efficiency on a sandy soil, as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation scheduling. Agric Water Manag 96:1247–1258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Zotarelli L, Scholberg JM, Dukes MD, Munoz-Carpena R, Icerman J (2009) Tomato yield, biomass accumulation, root distribution and irrigation water use efficiency on a sandy soil, as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation scheduling. Agric Water Manag 96:23–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu L, Chen T, Wang Z, Zhang H, Yang J, Zhang J (2013) Combination of site-specific nitrogen management and alternate wetting and drying irrigation increases grain yield and nitrogen and water use efficiency in super rice. Field Crops Res 154:226–235. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2013.08.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lupwayi NZ, Kennedy AC, Chirwa RM (2011) Grain legume impacts on soil biological processes in sub-Saharan Africa. African J Plant Sci 5:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  23. FAO (2009) FAOSTAT data, 2009. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  24. Chatterjee BN, Mandal BK (1992) Present trends in research on intercropping. Indian J Agric Sci 62:507–518

    Google Scholar 

  25. Craswell ET, De Datta SK, Weeraratne CS, Vlek PLG (1985) Fate and efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers applied to wetland rice. I. The Philippines. Fert Res 6:49–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Katyal JC, Singh B, Vlek PLG, Craswell ET (1985) Fate and efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers applied to wetland rice. II. Punjab. India Fert Res 6:279–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chauhan HS, Mishra B (1989) Ammonia volatilization from a flooded rice field fertilized with amended urea materials. Fert Res 19:57–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Meixner FX, Fickinger T, Marufu L, Serca D, Nathaus FJ, Makina E, Mukurumbira L, Andreae MO (1997) Preliminary results on nitric oxide emission from a southern African savanna ecosystem. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 48:123–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Liu CY, Wang K, Meng SX, Zheng XH, Zhou ZX, Han SH, Chen DL, Yang ZP (2011) Effects of irrigation, fertilization and crop straw management on nitrous oxide and nitricoxide emissions from a wheat-maize rotation field in northern China. Agric Ecosyst Environ 140:226–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Shi Y, Wu W, Meng F, Zhang Z, Zheng L, Wang D (2013) Integrated management practices significantly affect N2O emissions and wheat–maize production at field scalein the North China Plain. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 95:203–218. doi:10.1007/s10705-013-9558-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mosier AR, Halvorson AD, Reule CA, Liu XJ (2006) Net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in irrigated cropping systems in Northeastern Colorado. J Environ Qual 35:1584–1598

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Freney JR, Keerthisinghe DG, Phongpan S, Chaiwanakupt P, Harrington K (1995) Effect of cyclohexylphosphorictriamide and N-(n-butyl)phosphorictriamide on ammonia loss and grain yield of flooded rice in Thailand following urea application. Fert Res 40:225–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Freney JR (1997) Strategies to reduce gaseous emissions of nitrogen from irrigated agriculture. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 48:155–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Jambert C, Serca D, Delmas R (1997) Quantification of N-losses as NH3, NO, and N2O and N2 from fertilized maize fields in southwestern France. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 48:91–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Skiba U, Fowler D, Smith KA (1997) Nitric oxide emissions from agricultural soils in temperate and tropical climates: sources, controls and mitigation options. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 48:139–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Al-Kaisi MM, Yi X (2003) Effects of nitrogen rate, irrigation rate and plant population on corn yield and water use efficiency. Agron J 95:1475–1482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Ogola JBO, Wheeler TR, Harris PM (2002) Effects of nitrogen and irrigation on water use of maize crops. Field Crop Res 78(2–3):105–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Mahajan G, Chauhan BS, Timsina J, Singh PP, Singh K (2012) Crop performance and water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies in dry-seeded rice in response to irrigation and fertilizer amounts in northwest India. Field Crop Res 134:59–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Dobermann A, Cassman KG, Cruz PCS, Adviento MA, Pampolino MF (1996) Fertilizer inputs, nutrient balance, and soil nutrient-supplying power in intensive, irrigated rice systems. I. Potassium uptake and K balance. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 46:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Halvorson AD, Bartolo ME, Reule CA, Berrada A (2008) Nitrogen effects on onion yield under drip and furrow irrigation. Agron J 100:1062–1069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu K, Zhang TQ, Tan CS, Astatkie T, Price GW (2012) Crop and soil nitrogen responses to phosphorus and potassium fertilization and drip irrigation under processing tomato. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 93:151–162. doi:10.1007/s10705-012-9506-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Mohammad MJ, Zuraiqi S, Quasmeh W, Papadopoulos I (1999) Yield response and nitrogen utilization efficiency by drip-irrigated potato. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 54:243–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Mohammad MJ (2004) Squash yield, nutrient content and soil fertility parameters in response to methods of fertilizer application and rates of nitrogen fertigation. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 68:99–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Halvorson AD, Bartolo ME (2013) Nitrogen source and rate effects on irrigated corn yields and nitrogen-use efficiency. Agron J 106(2):681. doi:10.2134/agronj/2013.0001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Djaman K, Irmak S, Martin DL, Ferguson RB, Bernards ML (2013) Plant nutrient uptake and soil nutrient dynamics under full and limited irrigation and rainfed maize production. Agron J 105:527–538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Derby NE, Steele DD, Terpstra J, Knighton RE, Casey FXM (2005) Interactions of nitrogen weather, soil, and irrigation on corn yield. Agron J 97:1342–1351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Karlen DL, Flannery RL, Sadler EJ (1988) Aerial accumulation and partitioning of nutrients by corn. Agron J 80:232–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Freeman KW, Girma K, Teal RK, Arnall DB, Tubana B, Holtz S, Raun WR (2003) Long-term effects of nitrogen management practices on grain yield, nitrogen uptake and efficiency in irrigated corn (Zea mays L.). http://www.nue.okstate.edu/Index Publications/Guymon NUE.htm

  49. Wienhold BJ, Trooien TP, Reichman GA (1995) Yield and nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated corn in the northern great plains. Agron J 87:842–846

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Ferreira TC, Carr MKV (2002) Responses of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to irrigation and nitrogen in a hot, dry climate I. Water use. Field Crop Res 78:51–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Ye Y, Liang X, Chen Y, Liu J, Gu J, Guo R, Li L (2013) Alternate wetting and drying irrigation and controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer in late-season rice. Effects on dry matter accumulation, yield, water and nitrogen use. Field Crop Res 144:212–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Di Paolo E, Rinaldi M (2008) Yield response of corn to irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in a Mediterranean environment. Field Crop Res 105:202–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Kangare SK, Compaore E, Buerkert A, Vanclooster M, Sedogo MP, Bielders CL (2012) Field-scale analysis of water and nutrient use efficiency for vegetable production in west African urban agricultural system. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 92:207–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Darwish T, Attallah T, Hajhasan S, Chranek A (2003) Management of nitrogen by fertigation of potato in Lebanon. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 67:1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Whitfield DM, Smith CJ, Gyles OA, Wright GC (1989) Effects of irrigation, nitrogen and gypsum on yield, nitrogen accumulation and water use by wheat. Field Crop Res 20:261–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Davie M. Kadyampakeni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kadyampakeni, D.M., Fandika, I.R., Pungulani, L.L.M. (2017). Nutrient Management Strategies for Coping with Climate Change in Irrigated Smallholder Cropping Systems in Southern Africa. In: Ansari, A., Gill, S., Gill, R., R. Lanza, G., Newman, L. (eds) Phytoremediation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52381-1_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics