Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
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Organic Matter Availability and
Management in the Context of
Integrated Soil Fertility
Management in sub-Saharan
Africa
B. VANLAUWE
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, c/o ICIPE, PO Box 823-00621,
Nairobi, Kenya
E-mail: b.vanlauwe@cgiar.org
ABSTRACT
Appropriate management of organic resources is fully embedded in the
Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) framework. ISFM aims at
maximising the use efficiency of external inputs through the use of
improved germplasm, well-managed fertiliser and organic inputs, and
adaptation of any practices to prevailing local farming conditions,
including the management of non-responsive soils, or soils on which
crops do not respond to fertiliser application. After a summary of the role
of organic resources in tropical soil fertility management as affected by
changing paradigms, the organic resource quality concept is introduced
and important observations regarding the current availability and use of
organic inputs in African smallholder farming systems are highlighted.
The role of organic resources within ISFM is explored in the following
