Browsing by Author "Chisanga, Kafula"

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Maize (Zea mays) Response to Anthill Soil (Termitaria), Manure and NPK Fertilization Rate under Conventional and Reduced Tillage Cropping Systems
(MDPI, 2020-01-27) Chisanga, Kafula; Mbega, Ernest; Ndakidemi, Patrick A.
Soil fertility management has been described by many scholars as fundamental and a major hindrance to food production amongst smallholder farmers in the developing world. To counteract this challenge, some farmers have been reported to use anthill soil as analternative fertilizer to improve soil fertility for supporting crop growth. Against this background, a study was undertaken with the aim of ascertaining the effect of anthill soil application alone, cattle manure, and/or their combination with commercially available NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield parameters of three maize varieties under field conditions involving conventional (CONV) and conservation agriculture (CA) tillage systems. Results revealed that anthill soil alone (5000 kg/ha) or in combination with either manure (10,000 kg/ha) or half rate of commercially available fertilizer (NPKS: 10% N, 20% P2O5, 10% K2O, 6% S at 100 kg/ha) competed favourably in terms of response to growth parameters. Furthermore, pH and P levels changed significantly (p < 0.05) at harvest. We conclude that resource-constrained smallholder farmers in less developed countries utilizing anthill soil for fertility improvement purposes should judiciously apply it in CA planting basin structures compared with conventional methods, which appeared to be less effective and leads to sub-optimal yields.
The potential of anthill soils in agriculture production in Africa: A review
(International Journal of Biosciences, 2017-11-30) Chisanga, Kafula; Ndakidemi, Patrick; Mbega, Ernest; Komakech, Hans
In this review, we have attempted to highlight the critical role which anthills could play in sustainable agriculture practices as a locally available resource for the benefit of financially and soil fertility challenged smallholder farmers. Examples from across sub-Saharan Africa region have been elucidated in this paper on how the anthills have been utilized as a choice of low external input farming strategy for soil fertility challenges. Data from the study was collected through literature search from past and present research work by various scientists across the globe encompassing the internet and research articles. We have become aware that anthill soils could play a crucial role as an alternative to chemical fertilizer for farmers who have no means of buying inorganics. We recommend that for effective utilization of anthills in crop production, there is need to build the capacity of extension staff and farmers on the application method using micro dosing techniques and simple estimation of quantity for determining the requirements per hectare. Raising awareness to policy makers at all levels could stimulate interest on how this resource could be integrated as one of the components of integrated soil fertility management in conservation agriculture technologies. Carrying out studies which would focus on factors that could help in fast development of anthills would be key for enhancing crop development amongst the smallholder farmers challenged by cost of fertilizer input.
The potential of anthill soils in smallholder maize production under conservation based agricultural systems in southern Zambia
(NM-AIST, 2020-04) Chisanga, Kafula
Soil fertility is one of the fundamental challenges faced by cash constrained smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. In an effort to ward off this hurdle, some smallholder farmers in southern Zambia opt to use anthill soil as alternative fertilizer to enhance soil fertility and mitigate against exorbitant fertilizer costs. This study investigated the potential of using anthill soil as fertilizer for enhancing crop productivity under conventional (CONV) and conservation agriculture (CA) tillage systems with two principals involving minimum tillage and soil cover. The study was conducted in Pemba and Choma districts of southern Zambia where the practice of anthill soil utilization is widespread. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed to gather data for the surveys using open data kit (ODK) tool. Pot and on-farm experiments were set in Complete Randomized and Randomized Complete Block Designs to assess growth parameters; plant height, girth, dry matter yield, plant uptake, leaflet length, width and area, grain, stover and core yield of test crop under anthill soil, mineral fertilizer, manure and their combinations. All data recorded were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22, STATISTICA 2010 Programme, GEN STAT 15 th edition and Origin Pro 9.0. Results from the survey revealed that key barriers to the application of anthill soils in agriculture production lay in biophysical, technological, land, institutional and agro-climatic issues. The study also found that elevated macro and micro nutrients were more pronounced in top segments of the anthills. Significant (p<0.05) growth parameter yields were observed in sole anthill soil (5 000 kg/ha) and in combination with manure (10 000 kg/ha) or half rate mineral fertilizer (100 kg/ha; 10% N: 20% P 2 0 5 : 10% K 2 O: 6% S and 46% NH 4 NO 3 ) under both pot and field conditions. Phosphatase enzyme activity across the study districts was lower in comparison to arylsulphatase. Moisture retention capacity was consistent in both CONV and CA plots and only in Pemba site. Financial benefits were accrued more in treatments involving sole anthill and in combination with manure. To attain optimal benefits from the practice of anthill soil utilization under CA systems, there is a need for capacity building amongst users on appropriate application techniques.
Prospects of Using Termite Mound Soil Organic Amendment for Enhancing Soil Nutrition in Southern Africa
(MDPI, 2020-05-20) Chisanga, Kafula; Mbega, Ernest; Ndakidemi, Patrick
Termite mound soils are reportedly utilized as an alternative to NPK fertilizers by cash constrained smallholder farmers in some parts of Southern Africa. However, there is limited knowledge regarding their mineral nutritional value. The intention of this work was therefore to investigate the macro and micronutrient composition of different sections of the termite mounds; top, base and neighboring areas. The study approach involved physical and chemical analysis of 36 sites across Pemba and Choma districts in Southern Zambia through collection of soil samples in triplicate at 0–20 cm depth, using a soil auger. Findings revealed that the soil pH had elevated levels in the base segments of the termite mounds compared with the top and the neighbouring soils. However, elevated N, P and K levels were recorded in the top sections with significant differences (P < 0.05) in clay and silt composition observed. Additionally, metallic micronutrients, Cu and Zn were also found to be elevated in termite mounds in contrast to surrounding soils. We concluded that top termite mound soil should be considered as part of an integrated nutrient management strategy by financially challenged smallholder farmers cultivating in light textured soils of southern Africa.
Socio-Economic Factors for Anthill Soil Utilization by Smallholder Farmers in Zambia
(MDPI, 2019-09-05) Chisanga, Kafula; Mbega, Ernest; Ndakidemi, Patrick A.
In this study, we surveyed two districts of Zambia—Choma and Pemba. The aim of this study was to obtain the perspective of farmers on anthill soil utilization practices for key information that could contribute towards the development of an anthill soil based research agenda. The study employed both a qualitative and quantitative method approach to gather data from the respondents, which included farmers and key informants. Qualitative data was analyzed using the triangulation method and Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), Nvivo version 10, while data generated from quantitative interviews with a smart phone Application (Open Data Kit) were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results revealed that the key hurdles to the utilization of anthill soil lay in agro-climatic, biophysical, technological, land and institutional constraints. Broadly, farmers reported poor rainfall patterns (95%), decreasing soil fertility (70%), limited farm products (69%), finance (66%), limited access to research and extension services (55%) and security of land tenure (48%) as major constraints. We therefore advocate for strengthenedinstitutional linkages between research and extension for information dissemination, which would aid in decision-making used to promote integrated soil fertility management for improved agriculture production and productivity of rural households.