Project title: Soil and Water Management in Semi-arid Region of Eastern Africa

Principal investigator: Charles Wortmann

Duration: 2007-2011

Funding: USAID-INTSORMIL

Contact:

Charles Wortmann, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, 58C Filley Hall, Lincoln NE 68583-0951, (402) 472-2909. cwortmann2@unl.edu

Project description:

Inadequate nutrient supply and water deficits are the primary production constraints addressed with a climate risk management perspective. The specific objectives are:

1. Conduct nutrient management and water conservation research, such as use of tie-ridging or micro-catchments, in Ethiopia.
2. Climate risk management research in Ethiopia.
3. Determine the role of soil P fixation capacity in P management in eastern and southern Africa.
4. Explore new opportunities, fine-tune recommendations, and promote information on low-input alternatives in nutrient management and reduced tillage options in Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Key results:

In progress

Publications:

Mamo, M. and C. Wortmann, 2009. Phosphorus sorption as affected by soil properties and termite activity in eastern and southern Africa. SSSAJ, in press.

Mesfin, T., G.B. Tesfahunegn, C.S. Wortmann, M. Mamo, and O. Nikus. 2009. Skip-row planting and tie-ridging for sorghum production in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Agron J. (in press).

Wortmann, C.S., M. Mamo, C. Mburu, E. Letayo, G. Abebe, K. C. Kayuki, M. Chisi, M. Mativavarira, S. Xerinda, T. Ndacyayisenga. 2009. Atlas of sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) production in eastern and southern Africa.

Mesfin, T., G. B. Tesfahunegn, C.S. Wortmann, O. Nikus, and M. Mamo. 2009. Tie-ridging and fertilizer use for sorghum production in semi-arid Ethiopia. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosys.

Brhane, G. and C.S. Wortmann. 2008. Tie-ridge tillage for high altitude pulse production in northern Ethiopia. Agron. J. 100:447-453.

Kaizzi, C.K., J. Byalebeka, C.S. Wortmann, and M. Mamo. 2007. Low input approaches for soil fertility management in semi-arid eastern Uganda. Agron. J. 99: 847-853.  

Brhane, G., C.S. Wortmann, M. Mamo, H. Gebrekidan, and A. Belay. 2006. Micro-basin tillage for grain sorghum production in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia. Agron. J. 98:124-128.

Wortmann, C.S., M.Mamo, G. Abebe, C. Mburu, K.C. Kayuki, E. Letayo, S. Xerinda. 2006. Atlas of sorghum production in five countries of eastern Africa. University of Nebraska-Lincoln CIT.