Tillage practices in the north west region of Cameroon and their consequences on soil physio-chemical properties - a review

Tillage practices make up one of the most essential operations executed on the soil during crop production. They manipulate the soil by mechanical means using tools, implements, and powered machinery with the intention to prepare the soil and make it suitable for plant growth. For the adoption of sustainable agriculture, tillage practices carried out in a particular region and their consequences on soil health need to be assessed. This review article identified traditional, conventional, and conservation tillage as the major tillage systems employed by farmers during crop cultivation in the North West Region of Cameroon. Traditional tillage practices (traditional ridging, burning in ridges (“Ankara”), and slash and burn) were highly predominant especially among small-holder farmers, followed by conservation tillage. Conventional tillage practices were the least practiced among farmers. Due to the less adoption of conventional and conservation tillage, soils in the region are mainly affected by the identified widely used traditional tillage practices. Traditional ridging exerted beneficial effects on the soil such as improved soil water conservation, increased soil nitrogen, and soil organic matter contents while burning in ridges and slash and burn exerted negative consequences on the soil by declining soil fertility, destroying soil physical properties and reducing overall land productivity. Due to the adoption of poor tillage techniques, soil degradation is rampant in the region placing the population at risk of low land productivity and food insecurity. The adaptation of improved tillage practices such as traditional ridging is thus required for sustainable soils and increased food security. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(1): 70-76, June 202

Chamber measurement methods and aeration effect on greenhouse gas fluxes during composting

Composting has the potential to mitigate methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from manure.  The heterogeneous nature of emitting surfaces makes it difficult to quantify these emissions.  CH4 and N2O fluxes measured using eight small chambers (0.72 m2) and a mega chamber (90 m2) were compared, and the effect of aeration on the fluxes during composting was studied.  Two batches of compost were placed in three channels and 2-3 small flux chambers were deployed on each channel.  The channels were enclosed by a building serving as a mega chamber.  Chamber location significantly affected gas fluxes, pointing to strong spatial heterogeneity.  Mean CH4 fluxes from the small chambers were similar or 1.4 times higher compared to the mega chamber.  Mean N2O fluxes from the small chambers were 50%-55% lower compared to the mega chamber.  Channel edges, not captured by the small chambers, were potentially significant ‘hot spots’ for N2O production.  When only small chambers are used for flux measurements, a large number should be strategically positioned to cover different areas of the emitting surface so as to capture a representative flux.  On the other hand, if a few small chambers are used, they should be moved frequently to different locations on the emitting surface.  Temporal variations in CH4 and N2O fluxes were similar for all the chambers, including periods with active aeration.  Correlation of total aeration time with CH4 fluxes was insignificant (r = -0.097), but was positive with N2O (r = 0.556).  The flushing of stored CH4 at the onset of aeration, likely promoted fluxes, as opposed to the expected flux decrease with higher aeration time.  The purging of stored N2O enhanced the expected stimulation of N2O production at high aeration times, resulting in the positive trend observed for N2O fluxes.  Our results suggest that a mega chamber that covers a larger emitting surface area can avoid biases in flux estimates due to spatial variability of the source.   Keywords: chamber measurements, compost, greenhouse gases, aeration, flu

Can Sustainable Agricultural Innovations and Tools be a Solution to Africa’s Food and Environmental Challenges? A Review

Sustainable agricultural innovations are crucial to boost food quality and quantity needed to feed Africa’s doubling population (PopulationPyramid.net) faced with complex challenges such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, emerging diseases, urbanization pressures, etc. These challenges hinder the successful implementation of Africa’s agenda 2063 agricultural development plan and necessitated an urgent need for the development of sustainable innovative farming systems and tools to overcome these challenges. This resulted to the development of agroecological practices, PUSH-PULL technology by INCIPE, and LANDPKS mobile app technology by ATPS. This paper reviews 7 sustainable innovations in Africa helping to improve crop production, analyses their advantages and constraints, potential of each to be fully integrated in the continent’s agriculture system by 2063, and classifies them according to efficiency using the Hill and MacRae analytical framework. Only soil nutrient management techniques were averagely integrated into actual agriculture of the African continent while LandPKS, Push-Pull, and the other agroecological innovations were not well integrated in the continent. The paper also highlights some measures to facilitate expansion and deployment of these innovations and recommends quantification of SOC and GHG emission from the innovations should be simulated to 2063 to aid choice of innovation

Influence of environmental factors and the addition of wood shavings on ammonia and odour emissions from fresh livestock manure

 N. M. Ngwabie, K.-H. Jeppsson, G. Gustafsson, S. Nimmermark(Department of Rural Buildings and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 86, S-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden) Abstract: Gaseous emissions from livestock manure may adversely affect human and animal health as well as the surrounding environment.  In an effort to understand and mitigate these emissions, the effects of different environmental factors and the addition of wood shavings on ammonia and odour emissions from fresh pig and dairy cow manure were studied.  The manure was divided into two portions and wood shavings (25% pine and 75% spruce) were mixed with one portion.  Emissions from equal volumes (0.009 m3) of both portions were measured at different environmental conditions in a flux chamber.  The manure temperature was varied between 15 – 30 ºC.  Fresh air at temperatures between 16 – 26 ºC was passed at a fixed rate over the manure.  The addition of wood shavings decreased the total-N and NH4+-N, but increased the pH of the manure at the end of the experiment.  The temperature of the manure with wood shavings increased faster than that of the manure without wood shavings.  The ammonia emission from the pig manure (0.08 – 0.41 mg m-2 s-1) was on average much higher than the ammonia emission from the cow manure (0 – 0.08 mg m-2 s-1).  The odour emission from the pig manure was high (21 –   930 OU m-2 s-1), and significantly higher than the odour emission from the cow manure (1–6 OU m-2 s-1).  A positive correlation was found between the ammonia emissions and the manure temperature.  Ammonia emissions were about twice higher at manure temperatures of about 25 ºC than emissions at about 15 ºC.  Odour emissions were positively correlated with the temperature of cow manure.  Ammonia emissions at 25 ºC were high, while odour emissions at 25 ºC were lower than those at 20 ºC for the pig manure with wood shavings.  The emissions from the cow manure but not from the pig manure were positively correlated to the water vapour pressure.  The measurements indicated a positive correlation between ammonia and odour emissions for the cow manure as well as for the pig manure without wood shavings.  The addition of wood shavings to animal manure does not seem to automatically mitigate ammonia or odour emissions as it also affects the temperature and the pH.Keywords: dry matter, C/N ratio, volatilization, temperature, ammonium, Sweden Citation: Ngwabie N. M, K.-H. Jeppsson, G. Gustafsson, S. Nimmermark.  Influences of environmental factors and the addition of wood shavings on ammonia and odour emissions from fresh livestock manure.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(3): 68-81.&nbsp

Speciation of volatile organic compounds from poultry production

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from poultry production are leading source of air quality problems. However, little is known about the speciation and levels of VOCs from poultry production. The objective of this study was the speciation of VOCs from a poultry facility using evacuated canisters and sorbent tubes. Samples were taken during active poultry production cycle and between production cycles. Levels of VOCs were highest in areas with birds and the compounds in those areas had a higher percentage of polar compounds (89%) compared to aliphatic hydrocarbons (2.2%). In areas without birds, levels of VOCs were 1/3 those with birds present and compounds had a higher total percentage of aliphatic hydrocarbons (25%). Of the VOCs quantified in this study, no single sampling method was capable of quantifying more than 55% of compounds and in several sections of the building each sampling method quantified less than 50% of the quantifiable VOCs. Key classes of chemicals quantified using evacuated canisters included both alcohols and ketones, while sorbent tube samples included volatile fatty acids and ketones. The top five compounds made up close to 70% of VOCs and included: 1) acetic acid (830.1 μg m−3); 2) 2,3-butanedione (680.6 μg m−3); 3) methanol (195.8 μg m−3); 4) acetone (104.6 μg m−3); and 5) ethanol (101.9 μg m−3). Location variations for top five compounds averaged 49.5% in each section of the building and averaged 87% for the entire building

Methods for measuring gas emissions from naturally ventilated livestock buildings: Developments over the last decade and perspectives for improvement

[EN] The objectives of this paper are: 1) to give an overview of the development of methods for measuring emission rates from naturally ventilated livestock buildings over the last decade, 2) to identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses, 3) to summarise and conclude the current state-of-art of available measurement concepts and their perspectives for improvement. The methods reviewed include determination of concentration and air exchange rate separately, tracer gas ratio, passive flux samplers, flux chambers, and combined downwind measurement and dispersion modelling. It is concluded that passive flux samplers, flux chambers and combined measurement and dispersion modelling are useful, but for limited fields of application only and require further development and validation against reference methods. The most robust method to investigate emission rates available at this stage is the tracer gas ratio method, but improvements are required. They include more detailed estimates of CO2 release rates (when using CO2 as a tracer) and research into optimising dosing performance of tracer gas release systems. The reliability of tracer gas ratio methods applied in buildings with large ventilation openings needs to be improved by a more profound understanding of tracer-pollutant ratios and their spatial variability, and the development of improved sampling methods for concentration ratios. There is a need for a field reference method against which other methods can be evaluated. None of the diicussed measurement methods can be marked as a solid reference for all conditions; tracer gas ratio methods are the most likely candidate but need further improvement. (C) 2012 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The contribution to this paper of N. Ogink and J. Mosquera was financially supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment.Ogink, NWM.; Mosquera, J.; Calvet Sanz, S.; Zhang, G. (2013). Methods for measuring gas emissions from naturally ventilated livestock buildings: Developments over the last decade and perspectives for improvement. Biosystems Engineering. 116(3):297-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2012.10.005S297308116

Model-predicted ammonia emission from two broiler houses with different rearing systems

Ammonia (NH3) emissions from broiler production can affect human and animal health and may cause acidification and eutrophication of the surrounding environment. This study aimed to estimate ammonia emissions from broiler litter in two systems of forced ventilation, the tunnel ventilation (TV) and the dark house (DH). The experiment was carried out on eight commercial broiler houses, and the age of the birds (day, d), pH and litter temperature were recorded. Broilers were reared on built-up wood shaving litter using an average flock density of 14 bird m–2. Temperature and relative humidity inside the broiler houses were recorded in the morning during the grow-out period. A factorial experimental design was adopted, with two types of houses, four replicates and two flocks with two replicates each. A deterministic model was used to predict ammonia emissions using the litter pH and temperature, and the day of grow-out. The highest litter temperature and pH were found at 42 d of growth in both housing systems. Mean ambient air temperature and relative humidity did not differ in either system. Mean model predicted ammonia emission was higher in the DH rearing system (5200 mg NH3 m−2h−1 at 42 d) than in the TV system (2700 mg NH3m−2 h−1 at 42 d). TV presented the lowest mean litter temperature and pH at 42 d of growth. In the last week of the broilers’ grow-out cycle, estimated ammonia emissions inside DH reached 5700 mg m−2h−1 in one of the flocks. Ammonia emissions were higher inside DH, and they did not differ between flocks. Assuming a broiler market weight in Brazil of close to 2 kg, ammonia emissions were equivalent to 12 g NH3 bird-marketed−1. Model-predicted ammonia emissions provided comprehensible estimations and might be used in abatement strategies for NH3 emission

Nutritional and environmental effects on ammonia emissions from dairy cattle housing: A meta-analysis

Nitrogen (N) excreted in urine by dairy cows can be potentially transformed to ammonia (NH3) and emitted to the atmosphere. Dairy production contributes to NH3 emission, which can create human respiratory problems and odor issues, reduces manure quality, and is an indirect source of nitrous oxide (N2O). The objective of this study was to (i) investigate environmental factors and measurement method that influence NH3 from dairy housing, and (ii) identify key explanatory variables in the prediction of NH3 emissions from dairy barns using a meta-analytical approach. Data from 25 studies were used for the preliminary analysis and data from 10 studies reporting 87 treatment means were used for the meta-analysis. Season, flooring type, manure handling and housing type and system significantly affected NH3 emission rates as well as the measurement method used to quantify the NH3 emission. Ammonia emissions rates from open-lot and scrape systems were considerably greater and those from deep pit systems lower compared to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates used in national inventory calculations. For nutritional effect analysis, the between-study variability (heterogeneity) of the mean emission was estimated using random-effect models and had a significant effect (P < 0.01). Therefore, random-effect models were extended to mixed-effect models to explain heterogeneity. Available dietary and animal variables were included as fixed effects in the mixed-effect models. The final mixed-effect model included dietary crude protein, milk yield and dry matter intake, explaining 45.5% of the heterogeneity in NH3 emissions. A unit increase in milk yield (kg/d) resulted in 4.9 g cow/d reduction in NH3 emissions, and a unit increase in diet crude protein content (%) and dry matter intake (kg/d) resulted in 10.2 and 16.3 g cow/d increase in NH3 emissions, respectively. Ammonia emissions from dairy barns are driven by several factors including housing system, season and diet. Crude protein content of the diet, dry matter intake and milk production are important animal related factors that significantly affect ammonia emission from dairy facilities

Concentrations and Settling Rates of Particulate Matter in Laying Hen Barns in the Hot Climatic Region of Cameroon

Particulate matter (PM) serves as a carrier of adhesive gaseous compounds, and may result to an underestimation of gas emissions from livestock barns when only filtered air samples are analysed. PM concentrations have hardly been studied in the unique livestock production system of Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed at generating baseline data for PM (total suspended particulates) concentrations and settling rates in laying hen barns with cemented floors and wood shavings added as an initial bedding material. Measurements were conducted in two naturally ventilated laying hen barns in Cameroon; a barn with 4 months old hens that had just stated laying eggs and a barn with 18 months old egg laying hens. PM concentration was determined gravimetrically from the mass collected on a 1.2 µm diameter filter. Four plates with a surface area of 0.09 m2 each, hung at a height of 1.7 m from the floor were used to gravimetrically determine PM settling rates over a fixed duration. Results revealed that PM concentrations correlated with the age of the hens. PM concentrations were 6.61 mg m-3 (6.33 µg hen m-3) and 10.17 mg m-2 (16.95 µg hen m-3) in the barns with 4 and 18 months old hens respectively. PM settling rates were 53.79 mg m-2 h-1 (51.5 µg hen m-2 h-1) and 115.52 mg m-2 h-1 (192.5 µg hen m-2 h-1) in the barns with 4 and 18 months old hens respectively. No fixed location within the barn experienced consistently high or low PM settling rates. Temporal and spatial variations in settling rates could be related to management routines and hen activity. Results also indicated that variations in PM concentrations in the air accounted for about 60% of the variations in the settling rates. This research highlights the need for PM emission mitigation strategies that are applicable to the climate and production system in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gas emissions from dairy cow and fattening pig buildings

The objective of this research is to contribute to the knowledge concerning the abatement of gas emissions from livestock production. Investigations regarding the choice of sampling locations for gas concentration measurements, quantification of gas emissions and the factors that affect gas emissions were conducted. NH₃, CH₄, CO₂ and N₂O emissions were measured from two naturally ventilated buildings for dairy cows and from a mechanically ventilated building for fattening pigs. Animal activity, temperature and humidity were also measured. Gas and odour emissions from manure samples with and without the addition of wood shavings were measured in a flux chamber at different air and manure temperatures. Significant differences existed in the mean concentrations of all the gases at various indoor sampling locations in a naturally ventilated building for dairy cows. The differences in gas concentrations between various sampling locations were much smaller for long-term, relative to short-term, measurements, suggesting that a single sampling location during long-term measurements may generate representative data. Decreasing daily animal activity was associated with increasing pig weight, and with increasing air temperatures for the cows. Diurnal variations in gas emissions were related to feeding/cleaning routines and to animal activity. Daily emissions from the pig building increased with pig weight and temperature. Air temperature was more important than cow activity for daily NH₃ emissions while cow activity was more important than air temperatures for daily CH₄ emissions. Reducing manure temperatures and increasing manure carbon-to-nitrogen ratio are potential NH₃ abatement techniques. However, low air temperatures may increase cow activity which may in turn increase CH₄ emissions. Increasing the frequency of manure removal from the floor and from animal buildings reduces indoor emissions of most gases. Low N₂O emissions were measured from the buildings in this study; hence the use of liquid manure systems might reduce N₂O emissions