IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v11y2022i6p784-d824364.html

Effects of Combined Application of Compost and Mineral Fertilizer on Soil Carbon and Nutrient Content, Yield, and Agronomic Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize-Potato Cropping Systems in Southern Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Zeleke Asaye

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia
    Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Ziway P.O. Box 35, Ethiopia)

  • Dong-Gill Kim

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia)

  • Fantaw Yimer

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia)

  • Katharina Prost

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-3, Agrosphere), 52425 Jülich, Germany)

  • Oukula Obsa

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia
    Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia)

  • Menfese Tadesse

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia)

  • Mersha Gebrehiwot

    (Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Shashemene P.O. Box 128, Ethiopia)

  • Nicolas Brüggemann

    (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-3, Agrosphere), 52425 Jülich, Germany)

Abstract

Low nutrient input and low soil fertility are limiting agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. The main objectives were therefore to evaluate the effects of combined compost and mineral fertilizer (MF) application on soil properties, yield, agronomic nitrogen use efficiency, and adoption of compost application in maize ( Zey mays L.)—potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping systems. Yield data were collected from 20 smallholders applying (i) compost and MF at a total rate of 110 kg N ha −1 , with 6 Mg compost ha −1 + MF (6CF), 12 Mg compost ha −1 + MF (12CF), and 16 Mg compost ha −1 + MF (16CF; compost on a fresh weight basis), (ii) MF application of 108 kg N ha −1 (F), and (iii) zero fertilization. Soil from 0–20 and 20–40 cm depths was collected from 16 farms using compost and MF. Compost + MF treatments showed significantly lower soil bulk density and iron contents, while pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity were higher compared to F treatments. The 6CF, 12CF, and 16CF showed 22, 43, and 54% higher maize grain yield and 8, 16, and 18% higher potato tuber yield compared to F, respectively. The scarcity of organic material was a major socioeconomic constraint for smallholders for producing and applying compost.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeleke Asaye & Dong-Gill Kim & Fantaw Yimer & Katharina Prost & Oukula Obsa & Menfese Tadesse & Mersha Gebrehiwot & Nicolas Brüggemann, 2022. "Effects of Combined Application of Compost and Mineral Fertilizer on Soil Carbon and Nutrient Content, Yield, and Agronomic Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize-Potato Cropping Systems in Southern Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:6:p:784-:d:824364
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/784/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/6/784/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katherine Tully & Clare Sullivan & Ray Weil & Pedro Sanchez, 2015. "The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-30, May.
    2. Gebeyanesh Zerssa & Debela Feyssa & Dong-Gill Kim & Bettina Eichler-Löbermann, 2021. "Challenges of Smallholder Farming in Ethiopia and Opportunities by Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Lowder, Sarah K. & Sánchez, Marco V. & Bertini, Raffaele, 2021. "Which farms feed the world and has farmland become more concentrated?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Oukula Obsa & Menfese Tadesse & Dong-Gill Kim & Zeleke Asaye & Fantaw Yimer & Mersha Gebrehiwot & Nicolas Brüggemann & Katharina Prost, 2022. "Organic Waste Generation and Its Valorization Potential through Composting in Shashemene, Southern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Crawford, Eric W. & Jayne, Thomas S. & Kelly, Valerie A., 2005. "Alternative Approaches for Promoting Fertilizer Use in Africa, with Emphasis on the Role of Subsidies," Food Security International Development Policy Syntheses 11292, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    6. Catherine DeLong & Richard Cruse & John Wiener, 2015. "The Soil Degradation Paradox: Compromising Our Resources When We Need Them the Most," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14, January.
    7. repec:wbk:wbpubs:6650 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Victor Kavvadias & Zacharias Ioannou & Evangelia Vavoulidou & Christos Paschalidis, 2023. "Short Term Effects of Chemical Fertilizer, Compost and Zeolite on Yield of Lettuce, Nutrient Composition and Soil Properties," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Katharina A. Werner & Daniela Castro-Herrera & Fantaw Yimer & Menfese Tadesse & Dong-Gill Kim & Katharina Prost & Nicolas Brüggemann & Elisabeth Grohmann, 2023. "Microbial Risk Assessment of Mature Compost from Human Excreta, Cattle Manure, Organic Waste, and Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tiziano Gomiero, 2016. "Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-41, March.
    2. Ahimbisibwe, Vianny & Zhunusova, Eliza & Kassa, Habtemariam & Günter, Sven, 2024. "Technical efficiency drivers of farmer-led restoration strategies, and how substantial is the unrealised potential for farm output?," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    3. Douglas L. Karlen & Charles W. Rice, 2015. "Soil Degradation: Will Humankind Ever Learn?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Moya, Berta & Parker, Alison & Sakrabani, Ruben, 2019. "Challenges to the use of fertilisers derived from human excreta: The case of vegetable exports from Kenya to Europe and influence of certification systems," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 72-78.
    5. Prayer Monamodi & Jorine Tafadzwa Ndoro & Mona Ben Matiwane, 2025. "The Impact of Innovative Irrigation System Use on Crop Yield Among Smallholder Farmers in Mbombela Local Municipality, South Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Caviedes, Julián & Ibarra, José Tomás & Calvet-Mir, Laura & Álvarez-Fernández, Santiago & Junqueira, André Braga, 2024. "Indigenous and local knowledge on social-ecological changes is positively associated with livelihood resilience in a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    7. Eric Britt Moore, 2023. "Challenges and Opportunities for Cover Crop Mediated Soil Water Use Efficiency Enhancements in Temperate Rain-Fed Cropping Systems: A Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, April.
    8. MAMO, Yonas Abera & HAJI, Jema & LEGESSE, Belaineh & SASSI, Maria, . "Challenges of agricultural cooperatives and their impact on the profitability of potato growers in eastern Ethiopia," Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics (RAAE), Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, vol. 24(2).
    9. Ajay, Anurag & Mkondiwa, Maxwell & Urfels, Anton & Müller, Daniel, 2025. "Delineating profit gaps in rice and wheat production: Evidence from India’s economically marginalized region," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(1), pages 1-26.
    10. Berazneva, Julia & McBride, Linden & Sheahan, Megan & Güereña, David, 2018. "Empirical assessment of subjective and objective soil fertility metrics in east Africa: Implications for researchers and policy makers," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 367-382.
    11. Mohamed A. M. Abd Elbasit & Jasper Knight & Gang Liu & Majed M. Abu-Zreig & Rashid Hasaan, 2021. "Valuation of Ecosystem Services in South Africa, 2001–2019," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-18, October.
    12. Aremu, Olayinka & Fabry, Anna & Meemken, Eva-Marie, 2024. "Farm size and the quality and quantity of jobs—Insights from Nigeria," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Perelli, Chiara & Cacchiarelli, Luca & Peveri, Valentina & Branca, Giacomo, 2024. "Gender equality and sustainable development: A cross-country study on women's contribution to the adoption of the climate-smart agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    14. Lucija Pečurlić & Tihana Sudarić & David Kranjac & Maja Petrač & Sanja Jelić Milković, 2025. "Unlocking the Potential of Family Farms: Inclusion in Rural Development Program Measures in Croatia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, July.
    15. Mugizi, Francisco M.P. & Matsumoto, Tomoya, 2021. "A curse or a blessing? Population pressure and soil quality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from rural Uganda," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    16. Christopher B. Barrett & Miguel I. Gόmez, 2025. "Fostering Healthy, Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Agri‐Food Value Chains," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 390-400, May.
    17. Berazneva, Julia & McBride, Linden & Sheahan, Megan & Guerena, David, 2016. "Perceived, measured, and estimated soil fertility in east Africa: Implications for farmers and researchers," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235466, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    18. Abeje B. Fenta & Assefa A. Berhanu, 2025. "Switching on resilience: pathways to smallholder farmers’ embrace of Climate-Smart solar irrigation in North-western Ethiopia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(10), pages 1-29, October.
    19. Marson, Marta & Saccone, Donatella, 2025. "The effect of food price upsurges on income inequality: The richest win and the poorest lose," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    20. Bianca B. Barreto & Fernando P. Rivera & Blair M. McKenzie & Katharine Preedy & Yangminghao Liu & Lionel X. Dupuy & Elisângela Ribeiro & Roberto A. Braga, 2023. "Analysis of the Effect of Tilling and Crop Type on Soil Structure Using 3D Laser Profilometry," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:6:p:784-:d:824364. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.