Effects of planting basins and farmyard manure addition on soil carbon and nitrogen pools under on‐farm conditions in Makueni county of Kenya

• DOI: 10.1111/sum.13008
• Publication Date: 2023-12-23T01:39:08Z
• Authors: Edith Kichamu‐Wac...; Zhihong Xu; Kathryn Reardon‐S...; Leigh Ann Winowiecki; Gebiaw Ayele; Duan Biggs; Christine Magaju; Sabah Taresh; Shahla Hosseini‐Bai; Negar Omidvar
• Keywords: Farmyard manure; Carbon fibers; Soil carbon

Abstract Climate change, land degradation and inadequate soil nutrients pose significant threats to food security agricultural sustainability. This study aims examine the effects of planting basins with farmyard manure on total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), isotopic C (δ 13 C) N 15 N) compositions within smallholder‐managed farms in Makueni County, Kenya. The involved two management practices: (PM) conventional farming practices (FP) 12 experimental sites. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–10, 10–20 20–40 cm), replicates for each treatment. Significant interactions observed between sites as well depth N. At sites, was higher under PM (ranging from 0.44% 1.86%, p < .05) than FP 0.35% 1.37%), across all depths. concentrations ranged 0.027% 0.100% (0.060% 0.190%, management. Across depths, (less negative) δ values farmer practice (range − 22.5‰ −17.1‰) compared range (−24.3‰ −18.1‰). significantly enriched (range: 7.4‰ 12.6‰, 6.1‰ 9.8‰, .05). findings show that offers both climate mitigation adaptation benefits by increasing contents improving fertility. provides insights into real‐world implications these practices, emphasizing potential enhancing quality resilience.