Soil organic carbon and hydraulic properties in response to poultry manure and inorganic fertilizers in two tropical agro-ecologies
EfD Authors:
<p>The response of soil structure to nutrient management may vary across environments. Poultry manure (PM) and/or inorganic fertilizers (IF) effects on soil pH, organic carbon (SOC), and hydraulic properties were assessed in derived savannah sandy-clay-loam Ultisols and rainforest sandy-loam Alfisols of Nigeria during 2013-2015. The Ultisols were inherently lower in soil pH and SOC than the Alfisols. Three PM rates (0, 5, and 10 t ha<sup>–1</sup>), each with four NPK/Urea-based IF levels (0, 50, 100, and 150%), were applied in 2013 and 2014 but not in 2015.
Application of Rice-Husk Biochar to Coarse-Textured Ultisols and the Effects on Soil Fertility Indicators at Different Amendment-to-Sampling Intervals
EfD Authors:
The low fertility status of the highly weathered tropical soils offers the opportunity to study the potential and optimum application rate of biochar as an organic soil amendment, especially for the dominant coarse-textured Ultisols. Despite the relatively fast mineralisation of organics in these soils and the need to synchronise nutrient release crops critical stages of nutrient requirement, the time corresponding to peak effects of biochar remains unclear.
Synergistic effects of cattle dung, urea and lime on agronomic productivity and physicochemical properties of coarse-textured tropical soils
EfD Authors:
A major limitation to the use of some biowaste as manure is their high C/N ratio and hence slow mineralisation rate. Combined use of such slow-mineralising animal manures with N-rich fertilizers and/or synthetic lime may valorize them. The objective of this study was to assess the synergistic effects of cattle dung (CD), Urea and lime on crop productivity and physicochemical properties of sandy tropical soils. Treatments of CD, Urea, Lime, CD+Urea, CD+Lime, Urea+Lime, CD+Urea+Lime, standardized CD+Urea and Control were used to grow okra on sandy soils from a long-term fallow land.
Information sharing in African perishable agri-food supply chains: a systematic literature review and research agenda
EfD Authors:
ABSTRACT
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide a review of state-of-the-art literature on information sharing in the context of African perishable agri-food supply chains (AFSCs). In doing so, the authors hope to stimulate further research and advance both theory and practice on African perishable AFSCs, which is a relevant, but under-investigated context.
Design/methodology/approach
Interweaving bonds: examining trust, commitment and social sustainability in the agri-food supply chain in Kenya
EfD Authors:
ABSTRACT
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to examine trust, commitment and social sustainability (SS) in agri-food supply chains (AFSCs) in an underexplored context, an emerging country. This adds to the literature on the benefits of trust and commitment in AFSCs.
Design/methodology/approach