Improving the productivity of high pH soils through the use of suitable N sources and rates in Koraro Millennium Villages, Ethiopia

Lead PI: Dr. Generose Nziguheba

Unit Affiliation: Earth Clinic (EC)

July 2011 - December 2012
Inactive
Africa ; Sub-Saharan Africa ; Ethiopia
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: Koraro Millennium Village is located in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, which is dominated by alkaline to very alkaline soils (an estimated 92% of tested soil samples have pH values ranging from 7 to 9.34). High soil pH can induce nitrogen volatilization from applied urea, therefore reducing fertilizer use efficiency. Researchers seek a different type of fertilizer that might be more suitable for the area to address the challenges with crop production and food security.

OUTCOMES: 2011- 2012: This study determines which fertilizer is the better to use in the Koraro Village fields, comparing Ethiopia’s most commonly used nitrogen fertilizer to an uncommon fertilizer ammonium sulfate. Other outcomes of this project identify the rate of fertilizer application and assess the nutrient use efficiency and agronomic efficiency.

SPONSOR:

Earth Institute

FUNDED AMOUNT:

$30,000

RESEARCH TEAM:

Kidane Giorgis, Kiros Meles, Abrha Kebede, Fasil Kebede

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLABORATORS:

Agriculture and Food Security Center (AgCenter), Millennium Villages Project 

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS:

Koraro Millennium Villages Project, Mekele University, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultral Research (EIAR)

KEYWORDS

soil ph food ecology and nutrition nitrogen fertilizer food security