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Figure 1. Distribution of soil micronutrient concentrations relative to Finnish guidelines.

Strengthening Capacity for Diagnosis and Management of Soil Micronutrient

Deficiencies in Sub-Saharan Africa for Improved Plant,

Animal and Human Nutrition

Results

Significance of the research results Support to CGIAR, NGO and private sector projects with advice and protocols for soil and plant analysis to facilitate the process of establishing soil test values that will act as a guide to risk of deficiency and field trials to validate crop response trials. e.g. capacity development and spectral lab networks Develop micronutrient distribution maps to assist African governments, development organizations and donors to focus on most promising strategies for alleviating the most urgent soil and crop micronutrient problems –e.g. EthioSIS, TanSIS

Advisory services for fertiliser companies dealing with blending for more targeted supply of appropriate fertilizers for different regions, and for small holders options for addressing micronutrient deficiencies using organic resources

Advisory services to farmers and extension agents to address micronutrient deficiencies that affect crop growth and yield, and agronomic practices that will reduce micronutrient deficiencies..e.g. One acre fund, OFRA, Gates Crop Agronomy, Soil Cares and rural resource centre's.

Addressing deficiencies for improving smallholder crop and livestock productivity and reducing risks of technology failure (e.g. NPK fertilizer use)-provide value for inputs.

Increase agricultural productivity in an ecologically and socially sustainable manner that contributes to human rights- right to health, safe food and the right to life with dignity.

Strengthening Africa capacity on new science and technology for soil-plant analysis, diagnosis and management (Figure 2).

End-users and Impact

Total X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

X-ray diffraction spectroscopy Infrared

spectroscopy

Improved agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability through alleviating soil micronutrient deficiencies, which contributes to climate change mitigation, reduced soil erosion and expansion of cultivation into marginal land or forests for healthier soils, crops, livestock, and human nutrition (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Spectral fingerprinting and spectral lab networks.

During the programme, over 1700 pairs of top- and subsoil samples, collected from 57 randomly located AfSIS sentinel sites covering major agro climatic zones of 19 sub-Saharan Africa countries, were analysed for micronutrients. At the LUKE institute soluble concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, Mo, Ni, V and Se were acquired by acid ammonium acetate – ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (AAAc-EDTA) extraction and soluble B by extraction with hot water.

The results show no marked differences in the concentrations of the easily soluble elements between topsoil and subsoil. The median concentrations of soluble Cu (1.3 mg l-1), Zn (0.8 mg l-1), B (0.4 mg l-1) and Fe (64 mg l-1) in the topsoil seem low relative to sufficiency guidelines for good crop growth (Figure 1). Using deficiency critical mid-points for Finnish soils as a guide, Africa topsoils have deficiency prevalence values of Mn (8%), Fe (42%), Cu (48%), Zn (56%), and B (79%). The current results will be used to develop maps of micronutrient deficiencies and guide field trials to validate crop responses.

Healthy soils

Healthy crops

Healthy livestock

Healthy people

Keith Shepherd, Martti Esala, Mercy Nyambura, Riikka Keskinen, Andrew Sila and Erick Towett

Figure 3. Improved food security.