Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa
Mangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and ri...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Matilda Merkohasanaj Nuno Cortez Cristina Cunha-Queda Anna Andreetta Viriato Cossa Francisco José Martín-Peinado Marina Padrão Temudo Luis F. Goulao |
| author_facet | Matilda Merkohasanaj Nuno Cortez Cristina Cunha-Queda Anna Andreetta Viriato Cossa Francisco José Martín-Peinado Marina Padrão Temudo Luis F. Goulao |
| author_sort | Matilda Merkohasanaj |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels, which increase soil salinity and acidity. This study aims to assess soil physical–chemical properties, paired with farmers’ local practices, to evaluate fertility constraints, and to support sustainable soil–plant management practices. This co-designed research contributes to filling a gap concerning the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices adapted to specific contexts in West Africa. In two regions, Oio (center) and Tombali (south), rice yields were measured in semi-controlled trials both in two agroecological settings: Tidal Mangrove (TM) and Associated Mangrove (AM) fields. 380 soil samples were collected, and rice growing parameters were assessed during the 2021 and 2022 rice sowing, transplanting, and flowering periods. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRA) were applied to understand trends and build fertility proxies in predicting yields. Significant spatial and temporal variability in the soil properties between agroecologies was found. Salinity constraints in Oio TMs limit production to an average of 110 g/m<sup>2</sup>, compared to 250 g/m<sup>2</sup> in Tombali. Yield predictions account for 81% and 56.9% of the variance in TMs and AMs, respectively. Variables such as organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and precipitation positively influence yields, whereas sand content, pH, and iron oxides show a negative effect. This study advances the understanding of MSR production in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the importance of incorporating farmers’ knowledge of their diverse and complex production systems to effectively address these challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f4b837b7bb9649f98d3eca7dcaaeadc4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-f4b837b7bb9649f98d3eca7dcaaeadc42025-08-20T02:44:36ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115234210.3390/agronomy15020342Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West AfricaMatilda Merkohasanaj0Nuno Cortez1Cristina Cunha-Queda2Anna Andreetta3Viriato Cossa4Francisco José Martín-Peinado5Marina Padrão Temudo6Luis F. Goulao7Forest Research Centre (CEF), Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalForest Research Centre (CEF), Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Centre (LEAF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Blocco A, 09042 Monserrato, ItalyLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Centre (LEAF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalDepartamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, SpainForest Research Centre (CEF), Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalLinking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Centre (LEAF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon (ISA/ULisboa), Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalMangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels, which increase soil salinity and acidity. This study aims to assess soil physical–chemical properties, paired with farmers’ local practices, to evaluate fertility constraints, and to support sustainable soil–plant management practices. This co-designed research contributes to filling a gap concerning the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices adapted to specific contexts in West Africa. In two regions, Oio (center) and Tombali (south), rice yields were measured in semi-controlled trials both in two agroecological settings: Tidal Mangrove (TM) and Associated Mangrove (AM) fields. 380 soil samples were collected, and rice growing parameters were assessed during the 2021 and 2022 rice sowing, transplanting, and flowering periods. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRA) were applied to understand trends and build fertility proxies in predicting yields. Significant spatial and temporal variability in the soil properties between agroecologies was found. Salinity constraints in Oio TMs limit production to an average of 110 g/m<sup>2</sup>, compared to 250 g/m<sup>2</sup> in Tombali. Yield predictions account for 81% and 56.9% of the variance in TMs and AMs, respectively. Variables such as organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and precipitation positively influence yields, whereas sand content, pH, and iron oxides show a negative effect. This study advances the understanding of MSR production in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the importance of incorporating farmers’ knowledge of their diverse and complex production systems to effectively address these challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/342acid sulfate soils<i>Oryza sativa</i><i>Oryza glaberrima</i>soil propertieson-farm trialsyield |
| spellingShingle | Matilda Merkohasanaj Nuno Cortez Cristina Cunha-Queda Anna Andreetta Viriato Cossa Francisco José Martín-Peinado Marina Padrão Temudo Luis F. Goulao Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa Agronomy acid sulfate soils <i>Oryza sativa</i> <i>Oryza glaberrima</i> soil properties on-farm trials yield |
| title | Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa |
| title_full | Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa |
| title_fullStr | Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa |
| title_short | Linking Soil Fertility and Production Constraints with Local Knowledge and Practices for Two Different Mangrove Swamp Rice Agroecologies, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa |
| title_sort | linking soil fertility and production constraints with local knowledge and practices for two different mangrove swamp rice agroecologies guinea bissau west africa |
| topic | acid sulfate soils <i>Oryza sativa</i> <i>Oryza glaberrima</i> soil properties on-farm trials yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/342 |
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