The input reduction principle of agroecology is wrong when it comes to mineral fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa

Gatien Falconnier Marc Corbeels Frédéric Baudron Antoine Couëdel leonard rusinamhodzi bernard vanlauwe Ken Giller (2023, [Artículo])

Can farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) boost crop yields and improve food availability without using more mineral fertilizer? This question has been at the center of lively debates among the civil society, policy-makers, and in academic editorials. Proponents of the “yes” answer have put forward the “input reduction” principle of agroecology, i.e. by relying on agrobiodiversity, recycling and better efficiency, agroecological practices such as the use of legumes and manure can increase crop productivity without the need for more mineral fertilizer. We reviewed decades of scientific literature on nutrient balances in SSA, biological nitrogen fixation of tropical legumes, manure production and use in smallholder farming systems, and the environmental impact of mineral fertilizer. Our analyses show that more mineral fertilizer is needed in SSA for five reasons: (i) the starting point in SSA is that agricultural production is “agroecological” by default, that is, very low mineral fertilizer use, widespread mixed crop-livestock systems and large crop diversity including legumes, but leading to poor soil fertility as a result of widespread soil nutrient mining, (ii) the nitrogen needs of crops cannot be adequately met solely through biological nitrogen fixation by legumes and recycling of animal manure, (iii) other nutrients like phosphorus and potassium need to be replaced continuously, (iv) mineral fertilizers, if used appropriately, cause little harm to the environment, and (v) reducing the use of mineral fertilizers would hamper productivity gains and contribute indirectly to agricultural expansion and to deforestation. Yet, the agroecological principles directly related to soil fertility—recycling, efficiency, diversity—remain key in improving soil health and nutrient-use efficiency, and are critical to sustaining crop productivity in the long run. We argue for a nuanced position that acknowledges the critical need for more mineral fertilizers in SSA, in combination with the use of agroecological practices and adequate policy support.

Manure Crop Yields Smallholder Farming Systems Environmental Hazards CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION LEGUMES NUTRIENT BALANCE SOIL FERTILITY AGROECOLOGY YIELD INCREASES LITERATURE REVIEWS

Multiplication of native endomycorrhizae isolated from arid soils on organic substrates in wheat plants (Triticum aestivum)

JOSÉ RAFAEL PAREDES JÁCOME ROSALINDA MENDOZA VILLARREAL ROBERTO GREGORIO CHIQUITO CONTRERAS Luis Guillermo Hernández Montiel VALENTIN ROBLEDO TORRES Homero Ramírez Rodríguez (2023, [Artículo])

"Purpose Organic residues of coffee pulp, sugarcane bagasse and mature bovine manure are a source of organic matter and nutrients for the multiplication of endomycorrhizae consortia. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to multiply the AMFs in such substrates to decrease soil and water pollution. Method A pot experiment under greenhouse conditions was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of agricultural residues (C2-GEC, C3-PAR, C12-PRO, C14-ZAR) with different genera of endomycorrhizae isolated from semi-arid soils, 75 days after the crop was established. Agronomic characteristics and mineral content of N, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe in root and shoot were evaluated in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Results Multiplication of endomycorrhizae was influenced by the residue type. Greater production of spores was ob-served in the coffee pulp, followed by the sugarcane bagasse, where a higher colonization was obtained in combination of C2-GEC and C3-PAR consortia. This consortia combination also was one of those that have increased the content of N, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe in roots and shoots of wheat.Conclusion Combination of native endomycorrhiza substrates and consortia provides an alternative tool that benefits the physiology and nutrition of the plant to be used in sustainable agricultural production systems."

Coffee pulp, Sugarcane bagasse, Bovine manure, Mycorrhizal fungi, Organic waste CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA CIENCIAS AGRARIAS AGRONOMÍA FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO