Use of indigenous n2-fixing cyanobacteria for sustainable improvment of soil biogeochemical performance and physical fertility in semiarid tropics

Objective

Two major aspects of the interactions between indigenous cyanobacteria inoculantsand degraded soils in Semiarid Tropics will be analysed: l) the influence of N2 fixing activity on soil biogeochemical performance (nutrients status, OM content and turnover etc.) and 2) the role of secreted exopolysaccharides, for improving soil chemical-chemical properties and reducing adverse physical processes such crusting, clay dispersion, erosion etc. The most suitable protocols will be established for enabling small rural communities to grow a selected strains of indigenous active cyanobacteria. In each Daces a selected team of local farmers will be trained and instructed on how to manage and maintain these simple culture systems and on how to spread the cyanobacteria in the field. Models will be developed to predict the short and long-term effects of such practices on overall soil fertility and productivity.

Programme(s)

• FP5-INCO 2 - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Confirming the international role of Community research,1998-2002"

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Address

Piazzale Delle Cascine 28
50144 Firenze
Italy

Participants (6)

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

1A, Rue De La Ftrollerie
45071 Orleans

CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS

Spain

Address

115,Calle Serrano 115 Bis
28006 Madrid

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

France

Address

Avenue De La Pomme De Pin
45166 Olivet

SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Tanzania

Address

Morogoro

UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE

South Africa

Address

5700 Alice

UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe

Address

Mount Pleasant
30 Harare