On-Farm Nutrient Balance Studies in the Dry Zone of Myanmar

Ramakrishna, A and Win, S S and Rego, T J and Wani, S P and Tin, H (2004) On-Farm Nutrient Balance Studies in the Dry Zone of Myanmar. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 2 (2). pp. 98-108. ISSN 1747-762X

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Abstract

On-farm experiments to study soil fertility depletion—one of the biophysical factors limiting crop production—were conducted in six villages of central Myanmar during 1997 to 1999. Systematic socioeconomic surveys and analysis of socioeconomic and crop production factors aided the selection of farmers. Topsoil mineral nitrogen content at the start of the cropping season was high (10–25 mg N kg−1). Available phosphorous was around the threshold level for most crops, but exchangeable potassium was low. The predominant continuous cropping system of sole groundnut was on average positive for P (0.24 kg ha−1 y−1) and K (7.05 kg ha−1 y−1) and negative for N (−32.4 kg ha−1 y−1). A negative balance for N in the groundnut/pigeonpea (−58 kg ha−1 y−1) and mung bean/pigeonpea (−56 kg ha−1 y−1) intercropping systems was noted. The nutrient balances were positive in early sesame—late sesame (29 kg N ha−1 y−1, 8 kg P ha−1 y−1, 33 kg K ha−1 y−1) and early sesame/pigeonpea (8 kg N ha−1 y−1, 15 kg P h−1 y−1, 44 kg K ha−1 y−1) production systems while sole sorghum system resulted in positive balance for N (23.8 kg ha−1 y−1) and negative balance for K (−3.8 kg ha−1 y−1).

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cropping systems, dry zone, farmers’ fields, nutrient balances, nutrient mining
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Groundnut Others > Soil Science Others > Food and Nutrition Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics Others > Fertilizer Applications
Depositing User:	Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited:	27 Feb 2012 05:03
Last Modified:	27 Feb 2012 05:03
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5595
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2004.9684570
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We wish to thank Dr B. Seeling for his suggestions in planning the research, farmer stratification and on-farm site selection. The logistic support provided by Dr Toe Aung, General Manager, Central Agricultural Research Institute, Yezin and Ms Kyi Mar Yi, Farm Manager, Dry land Research Station, Nyaung Oo is gratefully acknowledged
Links:	Author

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