I am a agricultural adviser in Huambo in Angola, which is said to have the most fertile soil in Angola, what I can't see here really.
Wheat and maize were here planted for 2 years and irrigated with a pivot sprinkler system to ensure emergence in the dry season, but yields was yet with only moderate success. The corn yield was just as weak as that of other farmers in the area. I estimated that the maize yield is only around 1000 kg/ha. After the harvest residues, the wheat was only ¾ with a height of 1 m.
The soil with about pH 5, is a grey silty-sandy soil, presumably because the soil is 500 m from a river. But here isn't a laterite of rusty-red coloration like most soils here and that laterite are more remote from rivers.
My specific question is:
What is the best choice of soil preparation, fertilizing and which seed varieties to cultivate and gain best yields for wheat and corn on juvenile soil cleared before such acid and very sandy soils? Precipitation ist 1300 mm per Year.
The farm worker prefer to SEED and fertlize all by hand. Soil preparation and seed covering is done by harrow disks.
J HUMER, 18.7.22, Huambo
The International Organization with a mandate for Tropical Wheat and Maize is called CIMMYT centered in Mexico. They have identified wheat and maize which can adpat to tropical environments. I would suggest looking for those which are identified for acid soil tolerance particularly Aluminum toxicity.
Sandy soils have ability to respond positively to organic amendment which favors the water retention nutrient availability and nutrient and water delivery.
Ideally manure from corralled animals can be collected and composted with straw during the wet season and used the next rainy season for amendment.
The soil constraints can be best identified through a soil analysis looking at chemical physical and biological qualities. The use of foliar anlysis might also be need for determining the nutrient balancing needed.
Considering the acid soil condition sources of liming materials should be identified.
The way to identify the best options is by combination of variety trials and test of levels of amendment/fertilization.
Dear Johann HUMER . See the following useful RG link: Article Growth Responses of Maize Plants Cultivated in Sandy Soil Am...
Kindly see also the following useful RG link : Article Journal of Plant Nutrition Growth Responses of Maize Plants ...
Also check please the following useful link: Article Maize and sorghum root growth and yield when intercropped wi...
The following link is also very useful: https://scholar.ufs.ac.za/bitstream/handle/11660/11321/NginamauD.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Visit kindly the following useful link: https://floodbased.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/OP_05_Flood-based-farming-in-Africa_SF.pdf
Dear @Johann HUMER
Please check the useful link given below:
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/wheat/essentials-successful-wheat-crop
You should also check:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338765461_Water_management_for_wheat_grown_in_sandy_soil_under_climate_change_conditions
https://www.aggrowagronomy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Growing-profitable-crops-on-sandy-soils-in-SW-NSW.pdf
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42729-022-00851-7
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/11/1199/pdf?version=1636357569
Maize seems to be moderately forbearing to moisture stress. But studies have revealed that irrigation has improved maize yields significantly. Coarse textured sandy soils are often prone to water scarcity. Hence it is essential to enhance the water use efficiency of sandy soil.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270612352_Growth_Responses_of_Maize_Plants_Cultivated_in_Sandy_Soil_Amended_by_Different_Superabsorbant_Hydrogels
Improved water management practices reduce the vulnerability of maize to drought stress.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273961273_Water_management_for_maize_grown_in_sandy_soil_under_climate_change_conditions
Kindly also check:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-41447-z
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016719879190002F
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