Combined Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Sources: Cattle Manure Quality, Combinations with Mineral Fertilizers and Related Yield Gains

Use of combinations of organic materials and mineral fertilizers as sources of crop nutrients has widely been discussed and their relevance in arriving at sustainable soil fertility management practices that are environmentally friendly explained. Few publications go beyond the theoretical models and examine the practical issues involved. Given the level of soil degradation, mainly through erosion and nutrient mining, recapitalization of soil nutrient stocks is central to continued crop production. Combined nutrient sources play a crucial role in supporting crop production especially in the smallholder faming systems. This book therefore examines keys issues related to use of cattle manure, i.e., its quality, mineralization and immobilization effects, yield gains; and proposes logic of how to combine both high and low quality manures with mineral fertilizers. The issues raised in this book are important to researchers, extentionist, development practitioners and students studying agriculture.