Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2024
Journal Name
Frontiers in Agronomy
Abstract
Securing a consistent food supply remains a pressing global challenge, particularly for small-scale farmers grappling with obstacles in enhancing agricultural yields, especially in tropical soils. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques, employing organic manures like vermicompost and bioenriched rock phosphate, emerge as recommended solutions. Vermicompost is lauded for its nutrient richness and positive soil health impacts. At the same time, bio-enriched rock phosphate serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional phosphorus fertilisers, specifically tailored for tropical soil conditions. Despite individual studies assessing the effects of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers on plant growth, a comprehensive overview of their combined application is noticeably lacking. To fill this gap, this study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method to explore the synergies of combining these elements and their impacts on crop production and the environment. This review is among the first to comprehensively summarize the complexities of combining vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and chemical fertilisers on various crops. It thoroughly examines potential advantages, disadvantages, effects on agricultural systems, socio-economic implications, and existing policies governing their usage. Our findings reveal that the combined application of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers leads to significant improvements in plant growth, yield, and soil properties. The optimal impact is observed when vermicompost constitutes 25% and soluble fertiliser comprises 75 or 100% of the recommended fertiliser dosage. Moreover, incorporating a mixture of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strains in rock phosphate further enhances its positive effects. Despite these positive findings, we identified gaps in comprehensive approaches addressing socio-cultural dimensions and the lack of literature on prevailing policies regarding vermicompost use in agricultural systems highlighting the need for a more holistic understanding of
Keywords
sustainable agriculture, organic manures, mineral fertilizers, crop yield, soil health
Rsif Scholar Name
Tamara Jose Sande
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Recommended Citation
Sande, T. J., Tindwa, H. J., Tokura Alovisi, A. M., & Semoka, J. M. (2024). Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review. Frontiers in Agronomy, 6, 1422876. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2024.1422876