Abstract
Crop production in sub-Saharan Africa has numerous biotic and abiotic constraints, including nutrient deficiencies. Information on crop response to macronutrients is relatively abundant compared with secondary and micronutrients (SMN). Data from 1339 trial replicates of 280 field trials conducted from 2013 to 2016 in 11 countries were analyzed for the diagnosis of SMN deficiencies. The diagnostic data included relative yield response (RYR) and soil and foliar test results. The RYR to application of a combination of Mg, S, Zn, and B (Mg–S–Zn–B) relative to a comparable N–P–K treatment was a > 5% increase for 35% of the legume blocks and 60% of the non-legume blocks. The frequencies of soil test Zn, Cu, and B being below their critical level were 28, 2 and 10% for eastern and southern Africa, respectively, and 55, 58 and 89% for western Africa, while low levels for other SMN were less frequent. The frequency of foliar results indicating low availability were 58% for Zn, 16% for S and less for other SMN. The r2 values for relationships between soil test, foliar test and RYR results were < 0.035 with little complementarity except for soil test Zn and B with cassava (Manihot esculenta L. Crantz) RYR in Ghana, and foliar Zn with cereal RYR in Uganda. Positive RYR is powerful diagnostic information and indicative of good profit potential for well-targeted and well-specified SMN application. Geo-referenced RYR, soil analysis and foliar analysis results for diagnosis of SMN deficiencies in 11 countries of sub-Saharan Africa were generally not complementary.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- ESA:
-
Eastern and southern Africa
- Mg–S–Zn–B:
-
Application of a combination of Mg, S, Zn, and B at 10, 15, 2.5, and 0.5 kg ha−1, respectively
- RYR:
-
The yield response due to Mg–S–Zn–B application relative to a treatment with comparable rates of N, P, and K applied
- SMN:
-
Secondary and micro-nutrients
- WA:
-
West Africa
References
Campbell CR (2000) Reference sufficiency ranges for plant analysis in the Southern Region of the United States. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #394. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Division. Raleigh NC. https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/Documents/scsb394.pdf. Accessed June 2018
Cyamweshi AR, Nabahungu LN, Senkoro CJ, Kibunja C, Mukuralinda A, Kaizzi KC, Mvuyekure SM, Kayumba J, Ndungu-Magiroi KW, Koech MN, Wortmann CS (2018) Wheat nutrient response functions for the East Africa highlands. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 111:21–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-018-9912-z
Enderson JT, Mallarino AP, Haq MU (2015) Soybean yield response to foliar-applied micronutrients and relationships among soil and tissue tests. Agron J 107:2143–2161. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj14.0536
Franco A, Malhotra N, Simmonovits G (2014) Publication bias in the social sciences: unlocking the file drawer. Science 345:1502–1505
Friesen DK (1991) Fate and efficiency of sulfur fertilizer applied to food crops in West Africa. Fertil Res 29:35–44
Garba M, Serme I, Wortmann CS (2018) Relating crop yield response to fertilizer and soil test information for Sub-Saharan Africa. Soil Sci Soc Amer J 82:862–870. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.02.0066
Habtegebrial K, Singh BR (2006) Effects of timing of nitrogen and sulphur fertilizers on yield, nitrogen, and sulphur contents of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 75:213–222
Horneck DA, Sullivan DM, Owen JS, Hart JM (2011) Soil test interpretation guide. Oregon State University Extension Guide. file:///C:/Users/cwortmann2/Downloads/ec1478.pdf. Accessed June 2018
Howeler RH (2002) Cassava mineral nutrition and fertilization. In: Hillocks RJ, Thresh JM, Belloti AC (eds) Cassava biology production and utilization. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 115–147
Kaizzi KC, Mohammed MB, Maman N (2017) Fertilizer use optimization: principles and approach. In: Wortmann CS, Sones K (eds) Fertilizer use optimization in sub-Saharan Africa. Published by CAB International, Nairobi, Kenya, pp 9–19
Kaizzi CK, Cyamweshi RA, Kibunja CN, Senkoro C, Nkonde D, Maria R, Wortmann CS (2018) Bean response to fertilizer in eastern and southern Africa. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 111:47–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-018-9915-9
Kihara J, Sileshi GW, Nziguheba G, Kinyua M, Zingore S, Sommer R (2017) Application of secondary nutrients and micronutrients increases crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa. Agron Sustain Dev 37:25
Maharjan B, Shaver TM, Wortmann CS, Shapiro CA, Ferguson RB, Krienke BT, Stewart ZP (2018) Micronutrient management in Nebraska. Nebraska Extension G1830MR
Maman N, Dicko M, Abdou G, Wortmann C (2017a) Sorghum and groundnut sole and intercrop nutrient response in semi-arid West Africa. Agron J 109:2907–2917. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.02.0120
Maman N, Dicko MK, Abdou G, Kouyaté Z, Wortmann C (2017b) Pearl millet and cowpea intercrop response to applied nutrients in West Africa. Agron J 109:2333–2342. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.03.0139
Maman N, Traoré L, Garba M, Dicko MK, Gonda A, Wortmann CS (2018) Maize sole crop and intercrop response to fertilizer in Mali and Niger. Agron J 110:728–736. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.06.0329
Mehlich A (1984) Mehlich-3 soil test extractant: a modification of Mehlich-2 extractant. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 15:1409–1416
Munthali MW, Senkoro C, Nalivata P, Makumba WI, Msaky J, Mzimbiri M, Wortmann C (2018) Cowpea nutrient response functions for eastern and Southern Africa. Afr J Agric Res 13:1026–1032. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2018.13161
Ndungu-Magiroi KW, Kasozi A, Kaizzi KC, Mwangi T, Koech M, Kibunja CN, Wamae D, Wortmann CS (2017a) Finger millet response to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in Kenya and Uganda. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 108:297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-017-9857-7
Ndungu-Magiroi KW, Wortmann CS, Kibunja C, Senkoro C, Mwangi TJK, Wamae D, Kifuko-Koech M, Msakyi J (2017b) Maize bean intercrop response to nutrient application relative to maize sole crop response. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 109:17–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-017-9862-x
Rietra RPJJ, Heinen M, Dimkpa CO, Bindraban PS (2007) Effects of nutrient antagonism and synergism on yield and fertilizer use efficiency. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 48:1895–1920
Sawyer J, Mallarino AP (2012) Care with plant nutrient analysis. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2012/06/care-plant-nutrient-analysis
Senkoro CJ, Marandu AE, Ley GJ, Wortmann CS (2017) Maize and pigeon pea sole crop and intercrop nutrient response functions for Tanzania. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 109:303–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-017-9889-z
Senkoro CJ, Tetteh FM, Kibunja CN, Ndungu-Magiroi KW, Quansah GW, Marandu AE, Ley GJ, Mwangi TJ, Wortmann CS (2018) Cassava yield and economic response to fertiliser in Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana. Agron J 110:1600–1606. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2018.01
Serme I, Ouattara K, Ouattara D, Ouedraogo S, Youl S, Wortmann C (2017a) Sorghum grain yield under different rates of mineral and organic fertilizer application in the South-Sudan Zone of Burkina Faso. In: Bationo A, Ngaradoum D, Youl S, Lompo F, Fening JO (eds) Improving the profitability, sustainability and efficiency of nutrients through site specific fertilizers recommendation in West Africa agro-ecosystems, vol 2. Springer, New York, pp 195–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58792-9_14
Serme I, Ouattara K, Traore IO, Ouedraogo S, Youl S, Ouattara B, Lompo F, Sedogo PM, Wortmann C, Bationo A (2017b) Maize response to fertilizer on Ferralsol and Luvisol in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso. In: Bationo A, Ngaradoum D, Youl S, Lompo F, Fening JO (eds) Improving the profitability, sustainability and efficiency of nutrients through site specific fertilizers recommendation in West Africa agro-ecosystems, vol 2. Springer, New York, pp 235–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58792-9_12
Serme I, Ouattara K, Bandaogo AA, Wortmann C (2018a) Pearl millet and sorghum yield response to fertilizer in the Sahel of Burkina Faso. J Agric Stud 6:176–188
Serme I, Dicko M, Ouattara K, Sidibe B, Wortmann C (2018b) Rainfed rice response to fertilizer in the Sudan Savanna of West Africa. Afr J Agric Res 13:1033–1041. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2018.13160
Serme I, Maman N, Maman G, Ouattara K, Gonda A, Wortmann C (2018c) Cowpea response to applied nutrients in Burkina Faso and Niger. Afr J Agric Res 13:1508–1515. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2018.13207
Stammer AJ, Mallarino AP (2018) Plant tissue analysis to assess phosphorus and potassium nutritional status of corn and soybean. Soil Sci Soc Am J 82:260–270. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2017.06.0179
Stockli R, Vermote E, Saleous N, Simmon R, Herring D (2005) The blue marble next generation: a true color earth dataset including seasonal dynamics from MODIS. NASA Earth Observatory. Accessed Jan 2018
Tarfa BD, Maman N, Ouattara K, Wortmann C (2017) Groundnut and soybean response to nutrient application in West Africa. Agron J 109:2323–2332. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.03.0132
Uyovbisere EO, Lombin G (1990) Response of early maturing maize (Zea mays, L) variety to potassium and zinc fertilization in the Nigerian savanna. Fertil Res 23:73–80
Vanlauwe B, Tittonell P, Mukalama J (2007) Within-farm soil fertility gradients affect response of maize to fertilizer application in western Kenya. In: Bationo A, Waswa B, Kihaara J, Kimetu J (eds) Advances in integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 121–132
Vanlauwe B, Descheemaeker K, Giller KE, Huising J, Merckx R, Nziguheba G, Wendt J, Zingore S (2015) Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unraveling local adaptation. Soils 1:491–508. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-491-2015
Von Liebig J (1855) The basics of agricultural chemistry with reference to the experiments conducted in England (In German). Vieweg und Sohn, Braunschweig, Germany
Wapakala WW (1973) The effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and copper on grain yield of wheat on copper deficient soil. East Afr Agric For J 38:229–239
WardGuide (2018) https://www.wardlab.com/ward-guide.php. Accessed June 2018
Weil RR, Mughogho SK (2000) Sulfur nutrition of maize in four regions of Malawi. Agron J 92:649–656
Wendt JW, Rijpma J (1997) Sulphur, zinc, and boron deficiencies in the Dedza Hills and Thiwi-Lifidzi regions of Malawi. Trop Agric 74:81–89
Wortmann C, Senkoro C, Cyamweshi AR, Kibunja C, Nkonde D, Munthali M, Nalivata P, Nabahungu LN, Kaizzi K (2018) Maize-nutrient response functions for Eastern and Southern Africa. Agron J 110:2070–2079. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2018.04.0268
Acknowledgements
This research was conducted under the Optimizing Fertilizer Recommendations in Africa project (OFRA). OFRA was a 13-country research and extension network managed by CAB International and implemented with technical and scientific advisory support from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to improve farmer profitability from fertilizer use for food crop production. We acknowledge the contributions of the approximately 40 research teams that participated, their institutions, and the many farmers who cooperated in conducting this research. This research was funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant Number AGRA-SHP 2013-3 for project “Developing and fine-tuning fertilizer recommendations within an integrated soil fertility management framework”), complemented by financial, personnel and other in-kind contributions from the national agricultural research organizations.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wortmann, C.S., Kaizzi, K.C., Maman, N. et al. Diagnosis of crop secondary and micro-nutrient deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 113, 127–140 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-018-09968-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-018-09968-7