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Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe

Soropa, Gabriel; Mbisva, Olton M.; Nyamangara, Justice; Nyakatawa, Ermson Z.; Nyapwere, Newton; Lark, R. Murray

Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe Thumbnail


Authors

Gabriel Soropa

Olton M. Mbisva

Justice Nyamangara

Ermson Z. Nyakatawa

Newton Nyapwere

Profile image of MURRAY LARK

MURRAY LARK MURRAY.LARK@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Geoinformatics



Abstract

© 2021, The Author(s). A study was conducted to examine spatial variability of soil properties related to fertility in maize fields across varying soil types in ward 10 of Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe; a smallholder farming area with sub-humid conditions and high yield potential. Purposively collected and geo-referenced soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, soil organic carbon (OC), mineral N, bicarbonate P, and exchangeable K. Linear mixed model was used to analyze spatial variation of the data. The model allowed prediction of soil properties at unsampled sites by the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP). Evidence for spatial dependence in the random component of the model was evaluated by calculating Akaike’s information criterion. Soil pH ranged from 4.0 to 6.9 and showed a strong spatial trend increasing from north to south, strong evidence for a difference between the home and outfields with homefields significantly higher and between soil textural classes with the sand clay loam fraction generally higher. Soil OC ranged from 0.2 to 2.02% and showed no spatial trend, but there was strong evidence for a difference between home and outfields, with mean soil OC in homefields significantly larger, and between soil textural classes, with soil OC largest in the sandy clay loams. Both soil pH and OC showed evidence for spatial dependence in the random effect, providing a basis for spatial prediction by the EBLUP, which was presented as a map. There were significant spatial trends in mineral N, available P and exchangeable K, all increasing from north to south; significant differences between homefields and outfields (larger concentrations in homefields), and differences between the soil textural classes with larger concentrations in the sandy clay loams. However, there was no evidence for spatial dependence in the random component, so no attempt was made to map these variables. These results show how management (home fields vs outfields), basic soil properties (texture) and other factors emerging as spatial trends influence key soil properties that determine soil fertility in these conditions. This implies that the best management practices may vary spatially, and that site-specific management is a desirable goal in conditions such as those which apply in Ward 10 of Hurungwe district in Zimbabwe.

Citation

Soropa, G., Mbisva, O. M., Nyamangara, J., Nyakatawa, E. Z., Nyapwere, N., & Lark, R. M. (2021). Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe. SN Applied Sciences, 3, Article 396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 11, 2021
Online Publication Date Mar 1, 2021
Publication Date Mar 1, 2021
Deposit Date Mar 2, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 2, 2021
Journal SN Applied Sciences
Electronic ISSN 2523-3971
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Article Number 396
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5363576
Publisher URL https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0

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