Agronomic and financial benefits of direct Minjingu phosphate rock use in acidic humic nitisols of Upper Eastern Kenya.

A major constraint to crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa is nutrient deficiency, especially phosphorus (P) deficiency. Phosphorus plays a crucial role in photosynthesis but is usually deficient in acidic soils since it is converted to less available forms, affecting crop yields. There is a need to improve phosphorus availability to crops for maximum production.

The influence of organic and inorganic nutrient inputs on soil organic carbon functional groups content and maize yields.

Locally available organic inputs to soil, solely or in combination with inorganic fertilizers, are used to reverse declining soil fertility and improve soil organic matter content (SOM) in smallholder farms of most Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Soil organic matter characterization can indicate soil organic input, carbon (C) sequestration potential, or even an authentication tool for soil C dynamics in C stocks accounting. This study determined the effects of the long-term application of selected integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies on SOM functional group composition and maize yields.

Phosphorus availability and exchangeable aluminum response to phosphate rock and organic inputs in the Central Highlands of Kenya.

Soil acidity and phosphorus deficiency are some of the constraints hampering agricultural production in tropical regions. The prevalence of soil acidity is associated with phosphorus (P) insufficiency and aluminum saturation. We conducted a two-seasons experiment to evaluate soil phosphorus availability and exchangeable aluminum in response to phosphate rock and organic inputs in acidic .