Nitrogen Release and Synchrony in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems of the Central Highlands of Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorMusyoka, Martha W.
dc.contributor.authorAdamtey, Noah
dc.contributor.authorBu¨nemann, Else K.
dc.contributor.authorMuriuki, Anne W.
dc.contributor.authorKaranja, Edward N.
dc.contributor.authorMucheru-Muna, Monica
dc.contributor.authorFiaboe, Komi K. M.
dc.contributor.authorCadisch, Georg
dc.date.accessioned2021-04-13T11:36:32Z
dc.date.available2021-04-13T11:36:32Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.descriptionAn Article Published in Nutr Cycl Agroecosysten_US
dc.description.abstractTo match Nitrogen (N) supply to crop N demand, it is essential to understand N release and uptake patterns in different farming systems and crops. To assesses the dynamics of N released in organic and conventional systems and potential synchrony and asynchrony in crop N uptake, a study was conducted over three cropping seasons (potato, maize and leafy vegetables) at two sites in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Mineral-N release and synchrony were monitored in conventional and organic systems at high (recommended N, P, pesticides and irrigation) and low input (low N, P, pesticide use and rainfed) systems. Mineral-N release was assessed using in situ buried bags and N synchrony was measured by the daily differences in N fluxes. The percentage of N applied released during potato (38%) and vegetable (44%) cropping seasons were similar between systems. However, under maize strong temporal N immobilization from inputs occurred, particularly at Thika, related to the poor quality of manure and compost (lignin:N ratio[13). In all systems, excess-asynchrony of available N was pronounced during vegetative stages and at harvest, while insufficientasynchrony occurred at reproductive stages. During potato cropping season at Thika, Org-High showed highest positive N fluxes ([20 kg N ha-1 day-1) at planting and tuber bulking stage. At early stages of maize and vegetables Org-Low and Org-High experienced up to 5 times larger negative N fluxes (insufficiency) compared to conventional treatments at Chuka site. The study recommends reducing N applications at planting and increasing N dosages at reproductive stages of crops.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/21977
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSpringer Natureen_US
dc.subjectIncubationen_US
dc.subjectMineralizationen_US
dc.subjectMineral-N releaseen_US
dc.subjectSynchronyen_US
dc.subjectOrganic input qualityen_US
dc.titleNitrogen Release and Synchrony in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems of the Central Highlands of Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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