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This book explores the potential of biofertilizers as a natural and eco-friendly alternative for promoting sustainable soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Africa. It highlights current research trends on biofertilizers that can be adopted by resource-poor farmers, equipping stakeholders with knowledge to unlock relevant sustainable farming practices. By identifying key research gaps in the field, this comprehensive volume paves the way for further advancements and future research directions, ensuring continued innovation in developing and delivering effective biofertilizer solutions for African farmers. The chapters focus on key aspects such as the potential and long-term sustainability of biofertilizers, research trends and advancements in biofertilizer technology, and addressing resource limitations faced by smallholder farmers.
This book is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, extension workers, and, most importantly, the farmers themselves.
List of contents
Chapter 1. Overview of Biofertilizers and Their Potential Role in Sustainable Agriculture.- Chapter 2. Biofertilizers: A Green Approach to Enhance Crop Fertility.- Chapter 3. A Review of Liquid Bio-fertilizers: Types, Production Methods, and Potential Use for Vegetable Production in Hydroponic Systems.- Chapter 4. Potential of Digestate as an Emerging Biomass-Based Biofertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa.- Chapter 5. Bio-fertilisers as a Nature-Based Solution to Improve Soil Health, Yield, and Quality in African Medicinal Plant Systems.- Chapter 6. Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability in African Agricultural Systems through Biochar-Biofertilizer Synergies.- Chapter 7. Vermi-leachates as Sources of Bio-nutrients in Organic Horticulture Farming.- Chapter 8. Rethinking Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) and Soil Fertility for Sustainable and Equitable Practices in Smallholder Farming Systems.- Chapter 9. Vermicompost Potential as Biofertilizers in Smallholder Farming Systems.- Chapter 10. Microorganisms in Sustainable Soil Fertility Management.- Chapter 11. Harnessing Biofertilizers for Sustainable Cereal Production.- Chapter 12. Mitigating Abiotic Stress In Sorghum bicolor Using Biofertilizer.- Chapter 13. The Potential of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi Biochar Biofertilizer in Managing the Parasitic Weed Striga Spp.- Chapter 14. The role of omics in the Future irection of Biofertilizer Innovation.- Chapter 15. The Synergy of Nanotechnology and Biofertilizers: A Pathway to Sustainable Growth.- Chapter 16. Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles for Enhancing Plant Growth, Development, and Yield.- Chapter 17. Socio-Economic and Policy Obstacles to Biofertilizer Adoption in African Agriculture: A Thematic Chapter.- Chapter 18. Biostimulants and Biopesticides: Multifunctional Biological Solutions for African Agriculture.- Chapter 19. Biofertilizers and Aquaculture in Africa: Enhancing Sustainable Fish Farming and Agricultural Synergies.- Chapter 20. A Review of Biofertilizers' Role in Enhancing Cropland Ecosystem Services and Mitigating Climate Change in Africa.
About the author
Dr. Adornis D. Nciizah
is a Specialist researcher in soil science at the Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering in Pretoria, South Africa. He holds a bachelor's degree from Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, and both master's and doctoral degrees in crop science from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. Dr. Nciizah is a leading researcher in soil health and sustainable agriculture, with expertise in soil quality assessment and climate-smart agricultural practices. He has authored 27+ peer-reviewed publications and 23+ book chapters, and edited two books, demonstrating his contributions to agronomy and soil science. His notable research includes studies on soil surface properties and their effects on early crop growth.
Dr. Mupambwa
is the current head of the Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (SANUMARC) at the University of Namibia and a senior researcher in desert and coastal agriculture. He holds a PhD in soil science from the University of Fort Hare, specializing in organic soil fertility management, an MSc focused on soil physical properties in conservation agriculture, and a BSc in crop science from the University of Zimbabwe. With 16+ years of experience in government agriculture research, university teaching, and research, he has published 29+ journal articles, 26+ book chapters, and edited 3 books. His research emphasizes waste beneficiation, vermicomposting, and organic soil fertility for resource-poor farmers.
Dr. Patrick Nyambo
is a Senior Researcher in Agronomy at the Agricultural Research Council – Medicinal Plants and Industrial Crops in South Africa. He holds a PhD in Crop Science and an MSc in Soil Science from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. He began his research career in 2008 at the Agronomy Research Institute in Zimbabwe and later served as a Senior Researcher at the University of Fort Hare’s Centre for Global Change, where he focused on community-level climate change adaptation initiatives in the Eastern Cape Province. His research interests include sustainable agriculture, soil quality improvement, biochar amendments, climate-smart agriculture, the water–energy–food nexus, and natural resource management. Dr. Nyambo has published one edited book, more than 17 peer-reviewed journal articles, and over 18 book chapters.
Summary
This book explores the potential of biofertilizers as a natural and eco-friendly alternative for promoting sustainable soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Africa. It highlights current research trends on biofertilizers that can be adopted by resource-poor farmers, equipping stakeholders with knowledge to unlock relevant sustainable farming practices. By identifying key research gaps in the field, this comprehensive volume paves the way for further advancements and future research directions, ensuring continued innovation in developing and delivering effective biofertilizer solutions for African farmers. The chapters focus on key aspects such as the potential and long-term sustainability of biofertilizers, research trends and advancements in biofertilizer technology, and addressing resource limitations faced by smallholder farmers.
This book is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, extension workers, and, most importantly, the farmers themselves.
