Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe

A study was conducted to examine spatial variability of soil properties related to fertility in maize felds across varying soil types in ward 10 of Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe; a smallholder farming area with sub-humid conditions and high yield potential. Purposively collected and geo-referenced so...

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Main Authors: Soropa, Gabriel, Mbisva, Olton M., Nyamangara, Justice, Nyakatawa, Ermson Z., Nyapwere, Newton, Lark, R. Murray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2022
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Online Access:https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0.pdf
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4743
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author Soropa, Gabriel
Mbisva, Olton M.
Nyamangara, Justice
Nyakatawa, Ermson Z.
Nyapwere, Newton
Lark, R. Murray
author_facet Soropa, Gabriel
Mbisva, Olton M.
Nyamangara, Justice
Nyakatawa, Ermson Z.
Nyapwere, Newton
Lark, R. Murray
author_sort Soropa, Gabriel
collection DSpace
description A study was conducted to examine spatial variability of soil properties related to fertility in maize felds across varying soil types in ward 10 of Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe; a smallholder farming area with sub-humid conditions and high yield potential. Purposively collected and geo-referenced soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, soil organic carbon (OC), mineral N, bicarbonate P, and exchangeable K. Linear mixed model was used to analyze spatial variation of the data. The model allowed prediction of soil properties at unsampled sites by the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP). Evidence for spatial dependence in the random component of the model was evaluated by calculating Akaike’s information criterion. Soil pH ranged from 4.0 to 6.9 and showed a strong spatial trend increasing from north to south, strong evidence for a diference between the home and outfelds with homefelds signifcantly higher and between soil textural classes with the sand clay loam fraction generally higher. Soil OC ranged from 0.2 to 2.02% and showed no spatial trend, but there was strong evidence for a diference between home and outfelds, with mean soil OC in homefelds signifcantly larger, and between soil textural classes, with soil OC largest in the sandy clay loams. Both soil pH and OC showed evidence for spatial dependence in the random efect, providing a basis for spatial prediction by the EBLUP, which was presented as a map. There were signifcant spatial trends in mineral N, available P and exchangeable K, all increasing from north to south; signifcant diferences between homefelds and outfelds (larger concentrations in homefelds), and diferences between the soil textural classes with larger concentrations in the sandy clay loams. However, there was no evidence for spatial dependence in the random component, so no attempt was made to map these variables. These results show how management (home felds vs outfelds), basic soil properties (texture) and other factors emerging as spatial trends infuence key soil properties that determine soil fertility in these conditions. This implies that the best management practices may vary spatially, and that site-specifc management is a desirable goal in conditions such as those which apply in Ward 10 of Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe.
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spelling ir-11408-47432022-06-27T13:49:06Z Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe Soropa, Gabriel Mbisva, Olton M. Nyamangara, Justice Nyakatawa, Ermson Z. Nyapwere, Newton Lark, R. Murray Kriging Linear mixed mode Soil fertility properties Spatial variability Smallholder farmers A study was conducted to examine spatial variability of soil properties related to fertility in maize felds across varying soil types in ward 10 of Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe; a smallholder farming area with sub-humid conditions and high yield potential. Purposively collected and geo-referenced soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, soil organic carbon (OC), mineral N, bicarbonate P, and exchangeable K. Linear mixed model was used to analyze spatial variation of the data. The model allowed prediction of soil properties at unsampled sites by the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP). Evidence for spatial dependence in the random component of the model was evaluated by calculating Akaike’s information criterion. Soil pH ranged from 4.0 to 6.9 and showed a strong spatial trend increasing from north to south, strong evidence for a diference between the home and outfelds with homefelds signifcantly higher and between soil textural classes with the sand clay loam fraction generally higher. Soil OC ranged from 0.2 to 2.02% and showed no spatial trend, but there was strong evidence for a diference between home and outfelds, with mean soil OC in homefelds signifcantly larger, and between soil textural classes, with soil OC largest in the sandy clay loams. Both soil pH and OC showed evidence for spatial dependence in the random efect, providing a basis for spatial prediction by the EBLUP, which was presented as a map. There were signifcant spatial trends in mineral N, available P and exchangeable K, all increasing from north to south; signifcant diferences between homefelds and outfelds (larger concentrations in homefelds), and diferences between the soil textural classes with larger concentrations in the sandy clay loams. However, there was no evidence for spatial dependence in the random component, so no attempt was made to map these variables. These results show how management (home felds vs outfelds), basic soil properties (texture) and other factors emerging as spatial trends infuence key soil properties that determine soil fertility in these conditions. This implies that the best management practices may vary spatially, and that site-specifc management is a desirable goal in conditions such as those which apply in Ward 10 of Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe. 2022-03-24T13:50:33Z 2022-03-24T13:50:33Z 2021 Article 2523-3971 https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0.pdf http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4743 en SN Applied Sciences;Vol.3 , Iss.4 open Springer
spellingShingle Kriging
Linear mixed mode
Soil fertility properties
Spatial variability
Smallholder farmers
Soropa, Gabriel
Mbisva, Olton M.
Nyamangara, Justice
Nyakatawa, Ermson Z.
Nyapwere, Newton
Lark, R. Murray
Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title_full Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title_short Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in Zimbabwe
title_sort spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high‑potential smallholder farming area under sub‑humid conditions in zimbabwe
topic Kriging
Linear mixed mode
Soil fertility properties
Spatial variability
Smallholder farmers
url https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0.pdf
http://hdl.handle.net/11408/4743
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