Beyond Climate Change: The Role of Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Sustaining Future Maize Yield in Sub-Saharan Africa
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Climate change impacts crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa. Long-term soil fertility decline, not climate shifts alone, most affects maize yields without fertilization.
Area Of Science
- Agricultural Science
- Climate Science
- Soil Science
Background
- Climate change is a major threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
- Previous studies often neglect the long-term impact of soil fertility on crop yields.
- Soil organic carbon is a key indicator of soil fertility.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate maize yields under various soil fertility and climate change scenarios in SSA.
- To assess the relative impacts of soil fertility decline versus climate change on crop production.
- To understand the long-term effects of integrated nutrient management.
Main Methods
- Utilized an ensemble of 15 calibrated soil-crop models.
- Simulated maize yields across four diverse sites in SSA.
- Incorporated scenarios of changing temperature, rainfall, CO2, and soil organic carbon levels.
Main Results
- Without fertilization, soil fertility decline significantly reduces maize yields over time, surpassing climate change impacts.
- The benefits of combined organic and mineral fertilization on yields increase over time, even with climate change.
- Model consensus indicates soil fertility is a critical factor in SSA agricultural productivity.
Conclusions
- Long-term soil fertility dynamics are crucial for accurate climate change impact assessments in SSA.
- Integrated nutrient management strategies are vital for enhancing crop resilience and food security.
- Future agricultural research must prioritize soil health alongside climate adaptation.
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