Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review

Farmers largely depend on the soil's natural fertility in the shifting cultivation system, using minimal or no external agricultural inputs, and rely on slash-and-burn to clear fields due to limited resources. This system follows a cycle involving conversion, cultivation, and restoration phases, whe...

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Main Authors: Mandah, V.P., Tematio, P., Onana, A.A., Fiaboe, K., Arthur, E., Giweta, M., Ndango, R., Silatsa, F.B.T., Biloa, J.B., Masso, C.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175886
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author Mandah, V.P.
Tematio, P.
Onana, A.A.
Fiaboe, K.
Arthur, E.
Giweta, M.
Ndango, R.
Silatsa, F.B.T.
Biloa, J.B.
Masso, C.
author_browse Arthur, E.
Biloa, J.B.
Fiaboe, K.
Giweta, M.
Mandah, V.P.
Masso, C.
Ndango, R.
Onana, A.A.
Silatsa, F.B.T.
Tematio, P.
author_facet Mandah, V.P.
Tematio, P.
Onana, A.A.
Fiaboe, K.
Arthur, E.
Giweta, M.
Ndango, R.
Silatsa, F.B.T.
Biloa, J.B.
Masso, C.
author_sort Mandah, V.P.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Farmers largely depend on the soil's natural fertility in the shifting cultivation system, using minimal or no external agricultural inputs, and rely on slash-and-burn to clear fields due to limited resources. This system follows a cycle involving conversion, cultivation, and restoration phases, where various indigenous practices are applied, influencing soil nutrient dynamics positively and negatively. Significant efforts have been made to examine the relationship between soil organic carbon, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and indigenous agricultural practices in tropical shifting cultivation. The findings from these studies need to be assessed to improve understanding and better inform decision-making. This review consolidates these results, emphasizing the status, similarities, controversies, and knowledge gaps. Overall, practices in shifting cultivation tend to have long-term negative impacts on soil fertility, requiring an extended recovery period. Unfortunately, tropical lands are experiencing shortening fallow periods. However, agroforestry has been identified as an alternative to enhance the resilience of affected lands offering additional benefits for soil fertility. Crop rotation, mixed cropping, minimum tillage, cover crops, and incorporating crop residues can also improve soil fertility by increasing soil organic carbon and nutrient levels. Therefore, promoting knowledge exchange with indigenous farmers can contribute to more agroecological resilient farming systems.
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spelling CGSpace1758862025-10-26T12:55:14Z Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review Mandah, V.P. Tematio, P. Onana, A.A. Fiaboe, K. Arthur, E. Giweta, M. Ndango, R. Silatsa, F.B.T. Biloa, J.B. Masso, C. farmers shifting cultivation soil fertility sustainable agriculture Farmers largely depend on the soil's natural fertility in the shifting cultivation system, using minimal or no external agricultural inputs, and rely on slash-and-burn to clear fields due to limited resources. This system follows a cycle involving conversion, cultivation, and restoration phases, where various indigenous practices are applied, influencing soil nutrient dynamics positively and negatively. Significant efforts have been made to examine the relationship between soil organic carbon, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and indigenous agricultural practices in tropical shifting cultivation. The findings from these studies need to be assessed to improve understanding and better inform decision-making. This review consolidates these results, emphasizing the status, similarities, controversies, and knowledge gaps. Overall, practices in shifting cultivation tend to have long-term negative impacts on soil fertility, requiring an extended recovery period. Unfortunately, tropical lands are experiencing shortening fallow periods. However, agroforestry has been identified as an alternative to enhance the resilience of affected lands offering additional benefits for soil fertility. Crop rotation, mixed cropping, minimum tillage, cover crops, and incorporating crop residues can also improve soil fertility by increasing soil organic carbon and nutrient levels. Therefore, promoting knowledge exchange with indigenous farmers can contribute to more agroecological resilient farming systems. 2025 2025-07-30T09:30:21Z 2025-07-30T09:30:21Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175886 en Limited Access Mandah, V.P., Tematio, P., Onana, A.A., Fiaboe, K., Arthur, E., Giweta, M., ... & Masso, C. (2025). Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review. Environmental Sustainability, 8, 1-16.
spellingShingle farmers
shifting cultivation
soil fertility
sustainable agriculture
Mandah, V.P.
Tematio, P.
Onana, A.A.
Fiaboe, K.
Arthur, E.
Giweta, M.
Ndango, R.
Silatsa, F.B.T.
Biloa, J.B.
Masso, C.
Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title_full Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title_fullStr Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title_full_unstemmed Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title_short Soil carbon and nutrient (NPK) content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices: a review
title_sort soil carbon and nutrient npk content in the tropical shifting cultivation system under indigenous agricultural management practices a review
topic farmers
shifting cultivation
soil fertility
sustainable agriculture
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175886
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