Characteristics, socioeconomic benefits and household livelihoods of beef buffalo and beef cattle farming in Northeast Thailand

Since the Thai economy experiences rapid growth, agricultural systems, i.e. crop-livestock systems, are changing rapidly. On account of these changes, buffalo and cattle production has to be re-examined in terms of performance characteristics and roles of livestock for farm households in order to initiate suitable development programmes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the present characteristics of beef buffalo and beef cattle farms in Northeast Thailand. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 121 randomly selected beef buffalo and beef cattle farms were interviewed in Nakhon Ratchasima province between October 2007 and May 2008. Both buffaloes and cattle were mostly integrated in mixed crop-livestock systems with medium to large farm sizes (7.9 ha), whereof less than half of the area was used for livestock. Family members were mainly responsible for the different activities of livestock farming and salaried labourers were only found on large-scale farms. The dominant roles of livestock were income generation to build up wealth or savings, the coverage of expected and unexpected expenses and earning of regular and additional income. Another important issue was the improvement of the social status, which increased with herd size. In order to improve farmers’ livelihoods and develop sustainable farming systems in Northeast Thailand the changing economic circumstances of cattle and especially buffalo production should receive more attention of researchers, governmental institutions and stakeholders.

Successful rescue and field establishment of native banana varieties severely affected by rhizome rot

Rhizome rot disease caused by Erwinia spp. is emerging as a major problem in banana nurseries and young plantations worldwide. Management of the disease is possible only in the initial stages of development. Currently no method is available for rescuing plant material already infected with this pathogen. A total of 95 Nanjanagud Rasabale and 212 Elakki Bale suckers were collected from different growing regions of Karnataka, India. During nursery maintenance of these lines, severe Erwinia infection was noticed. We present a method to rescue infected plants and establish them under field conditions. Differences were noticed in infection severity amongst the varieties and their accessions. Field data revealed good establishment and growth of most rescued plants under field conditions. The discussed rescue protocol coupled with good field management practices resulted in 89.19 and 82.59 percent field establishment of previously infected var. Nanjanagud Rasabale and var. Elakki Bale plants, respectively.

Strategies for coping with feed scarcity among urban and peri-urban livestock farmers in Kampala, Uganda

Livestock keeping is increasingly becoming more popular in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. However, lack of feed is a real challenge. Inadequate feed supply in urban areas is due to many interacting factors, which include among others land shortage, high cost of feeds, climate risks and poor quality of feeds. The objective of this study was to identify and examine the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by livestock farmers in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala, Uganda to cope with feed scarcity. A total of 120 livestock farmers from Kampala were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Dairy cattle (48.3%) and chickens (37.5%) were the most common species, followed by pigs (34.2%), goats (26.7%) and sheep (3.3%). Farm size was generally small both in terms of herd size and total landholding. Cattle and pig farmers in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala ranked feed scarcity as their first major constraint, while chicken farmers had high cost of feeds. These farmers have adopted several strategies for coping with feed scarcity. Among the major coping strategies adopted were: changing of feed resources based on availability and cost (37.5%), purchasing of feed ingredients in bulk (29.7%), using crop/food wastes (26.6%), harvesting of forages growing naturally in open access lands (23.4%) and reducing herd size (17.2%). However, most of the coping strategies adopted were largely aimed at dealing with the perennial challenge of feed scarcity on a day-by-day basis rather than dealing with it using sustainable and long-term strategies.

Auswirkung der Rückführung von Kurzumtriebsplantagen in Acker- und Grünlandnutzung auf Boden C-Fraktionen

Bei der Rückführung von Kurzumtriebsplantagen (KUP) in konventionelle landwirtschaftliche Nutzung erfolgt zur Saatbettvorbereitung für die Folgekulturen eine intensive Bodenbearbeitung, um Wurzeln und Erntereste zu zerkleinern und in den Boden einzuarbeiten. Dies erhöht einerseits die Mineralisierung der unter KUP akkumulierten organischen Bodensubstanz (OBS), andererseits werden dem Boden hohe Mengen an Kohlenstoff (C) mit den Ernteresten zugeführt. In dieser Arbeit wurde an den Standorten Georgenhof Pappel, Georgenhof Weide und Wachtum Pappel in einem Feldversuch untersucht, wie sich unterschiedliche Bodenbearbeitungstiefen von 5, 15 und 30 cm während der Rückführung der langjährig bewirtschafteten KUPs in Acker- und Grünlandnutzung auf die C-Dynamik im Boden auswirken. Im Mittelpunkt stand dabei die Überprüfung der Annahme, ob durch eine reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung und eine nachfolgende Grünlandnutzung die Mineralisierung der OBS gemindert werden kann. Die nach der letzten Holzernte auf den Flächen verbliebenen und in den Boden eingearbeiteten oberirdischen Erntereste führten dem Boden, neben der in der zerkleinerten Wurzelbiomasse gespeicherten C-Menge von 1-9 t C ha-1, zusätzlich zwischen 12 und 17 t C ha-1 zu. Der Anstieg der freien, leichten organischen Fraktion des Bodens direkt nach dem Umbruch der Flächen sowie im Zuge der Bodenbearbeitung verfügbar gewordene leicht abbaubare organische Verbindungen, steigerten die mikrobielle Aktivität. Dies führte trotz der intensiven Bodenbearbeitung zu einer Erhöhung des mit Makroaggregaten assoziierten C nach dem Fräsen der Flächen. Die erneute Bodenbearbeitung der Ackerparzellen ein Jahr nach dem Umbruch führte an allen Standorten und in allen Bearbeitungstiefen durch die Zerstörung von Makroaggregaten jedoch zu einer Abnahme des C in dieser Fraktion. Demgegenüber zeigte sich durch die ausbleibende Bodenbearbeitung unter Grünlandnutzung auf beiden Flächen am Georgenhof eine bessere Stabilisierung des C in den Makroaggregaten. Am Standort Wachtum nahm der C in der Makroaggregatfraktion auch unter Grünland ab, da die Aggregierung und somit auch die physikalische Stabilisierung der organischen Substanz in diesem sandigeren Boden gering ist. Dies spiegelte sich in Verlusten von 10% in der leichten organischen Fraktion wider. Die mikrobielle Biomasse nahm innerhalb eines Jahres an allen Standorten ab, verursacht durch die abnehmende Verfügbarkeit der organischen Substanz, was sich in gesunkenen Cmik/Corg Verhältnisse niederschlug. Dennoch hat ein Jahr nach dem Umbruch der KUPs die in den Ernteresten gespeicherte C Menge auf allen Flächen im Zuge des fortschreitenden mikrobiellen Abbaus um bis zu 23 t C ha-1 abgenommen. Da sich keine Änderung in der Gesamtkohlenstoffmenge des Mineralbodens feststellen ließ, wurden mögliche Mineralisationsverluste der OBS durch Abbauprodukte der Erntereste ausgeglichen. Am Standort Georgenhof Weide zeigte sich dabei in den tiefen Fräsvarianten eine geringere Abnahme der in den Ernteresten gespeicherten C-Menge gegenüber den flachen Fräsvarianten. Ebenso deutete ein höheres C/N Verhältnis der Erntereste unter Grünland gegenüber Ackernutzung auf allen drei Flächen auf einen verlangsamten Abbau der Erntereste hin. In einem Inkubationsversuch im Labor wurde das hohe N-Immobilisierungspotential der eingearbeiteten Kronen- und Wurzelreste insbesondere zu Abbaubeginn der Erntereste nachgewiesen. Eine ansteigende N-Immobilisierung nach einer zusätzlichen N-Gabe deutete an, dass eine N-Düngung im Feld möglicherweise erst nach Abbau der leicht verfügbaren Verbindungen der Erntereste empfehlenswert ist. Höhere Ergosterol/Cmik Verhältnisse nach Einarbeitung der Erntereste zeigten den gestiegenen Anteil an saprotrophen Pilzen in der mikrobiellen Gemeinschaft an. Ein Jahr nach der Rückführung der KUPs in landwirtschaftliche Nutzung deuteten die C-Verluste aus den labilen Bodenfraktionen erste Verluste des organischen Kohlenstoffs des Mineralbodens an. Allerdings ließ sich noch kein eindeutiger Einfluss der unterschiedlichen Frästiefen oder Nachnutzungen auf die C-Fraktionen im Mineralboden feststellen, so dass sich im Hinblick auf die anfangs gestellte Annahme einer verringerten C-Mineralisierung durch eine reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung noch keine Aussage treffen lässt.

Kooperationspotenziale 'Grüner Werkstätten' und Beschäftigungspotenziale landwirtschaftlicher Betriebe sowie des branchennahen Handwerks für Menschen mit Behinderung

In den bundesweit rund 670 anerkannten Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) arbeiten aktuell über 290 000 Menschen mit Behinderung. Rund ein Viertel dieser Einrichtungen bieten auch landwirtschaftliche oder gartenbauliche Arbeitsplätze (`Grüne WfbM´). Die UN-Behindertenrechtskonvention fordert u. a. eine inklusive Teilhabe der Menschen mit Behinderung am Arbeitsleben in Form von Zugangsmöglichkeiten zu sozialversicherungspflichtiger Beschäftigung auf dem allgemeinen Arbeitsmarkt. Gleichzeitig können arbeitswirtschaftlich immer mehr landwirtschaftliche Betriebe aufgrund wachsender Betriebsgrößen nicht mehr allein durch die Unternehmerfamilie geführt werden. Neben der Zuhilfenahme von Dienstleistungsanbietern ist die Suche nach Fremdarbeitskräften zwangsläufig. Neben dem Bedarf an qualifiziertem Fachpersonal werden auch Arbeitskräfte für einfachere, tägliche Routinearbeiten gesucht. Die vorliegende Arbeit begleitet wissenschaftlich ein vom Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz gefördertes bundesweites Modellvorhaben zur Vernetzung `Grüner WfbM´ mit landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben. Forschungsleitende Fragestellungen sind die betrieblichen Interessen und Voraussetzungen aus Sicht der landwirtschaftlichen Betriebe für die Beschäftigung von Menschen mit Behinderung sowie für bilaterale Kooperationen mit diesen Einrichtungen. Anhand von 44 Betriebsinterviews und unter Anwendung einer qualitativen, rechnerbasierten Fallstudienanalyse zeigen die Ergebnisse eine Vielzahl von Möglichkeiten wirtschaftlich tragfähiger Beschäftigung behinderter Menschen auch in Kernproduktionsprozessen. Unabdingbar dafür sind angepasste Sozialtugenden und ausreichende Arbeitsmotivation auf Arbeitnehmerseite sowie eine offen-innovative und sozial geprägte Grundeinstellung auf Betriebsleitungsseite. Betriebe wünschen sich dauerhafte und verlässliche Arbeitsverhältnisse. Praktika oder gar Experimente kommen für sie eher nicht in Frage. Weniger als 10% aller `Grünen WfbM´ kooperieren bilateral mit umliegenden Betrieben. Dort wo keine Kontakte bestehen, sind Vorbehalte seitens der Landwirte hinsichtlich Wettbewerbsverzerrungen durch vermeintliche Sozialsubventionierung bzw. im Wettbewerb um Ressourcen (z.B. Land) gegenüber den Einrichtungen anzutreffen. Kooperationen fördern gegenseitiges Verständnis und sind so auch idealer `Türöffner´ für Beschäftigungsverhältnisse.

Agroforestry systems of timber species and cacao: survival and growth during the early stages

In recent times, increased emphasis has been placed on diversifying the types of trees to shade cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) and to achieve additional services. Agroforestry systems that include profitable and native timber trees are a viable alternative but it is necessary to understand the growth characteristics of these species under different environmental conditions. Thus, timber tree species selection should be based on plant responses to biotic and abiotic factors. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate growth rates and leaf area indices of the four commercial timber species: Cordia thaisiana, Cedrela odorata, Swietenia macrophylla and Tabebuia rosea in conjunction with incidence of insect attacks and (2) to compare growth rates of four Venezuelan Criollo cacao cultivars planted under the shade of these four timber species during the first 36 months after establishment. Parameters monitored in timber trees were: survival rates, growth rates expressed as height and diameter at breast height and leaf area index. In the four Cacao cultivars: height and basal diameter. C. thaisiana and C. odorata had the fastest growth and the highest survival rates. Growth rates of timber trees will depend on their susceptibility to insect attacks as well as to total leaf area. All cacao cultivars showed higher growth rates under the shade of C. odorata. Growth rates of timber trees and cacao cultivars suggest that combinations of cacao and timber trees are a feasible agroforestry strategy in Venezuela.

Nitrogen requirements of cassava in selected soils of Thailand

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important export crops in Thailand, yet the nitrogen requirement is unknown and not considered by growers and producers. Cassava requirements for N were determined in field experiments during a period of four years and four sites on the Satuk (Suk), Don Chedi (Dc), Pak Chong (Pc),and Ban Beung (BBg) soil series in Lopburi, Supanburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chonburi sites, respectively. The fertilizer treatment structure comprised 0, 62.5, 125, 187.5, 250 and 312.5 kg N ha^(-1) as urea. At each site cassava was harvested at nine months and yield parameters and the minimum datasets were taken. The fertilizer rate which resulted in maximum yield ranged from 187.5 kg N ha^(-1) in Supanburi and Chonburi (fresh weight yield of 47,500 and 30,000 kg ha^(-1) respectively) to 250 kg N ha^(-1) in Lopburi and Nakhon Ratchasima (fresh weight yield of 64,100 and 46,700 kg ha^(-1) respectively). Yield appeared to decrease at the higher, 312 kg ha^(-1), at Supanburi and Lopburi, and 250 kg ha^(-1) (Chonburi) fertilizer N rates. Net revenue was 70.4 and 72.9 % higher than where no N was appliedLopburi and Nakhon Ratchasima sites. Net revenue at the Supanburi and Chonburi sites were 53.8 and 211.0 % higher than that where no N was applied. This study suggests that at all sites improved cassava production and net revenue could be obtained with the judicious application of higher quantities of N. The results provide needed guidance to nitrogen fertilization of the important industrial crop cassava in Thailand.

Factors affecting farmers’ decisions on utilization of rice straw compost in Northeastern Thailand

Rice straw is used in Northeastern Thailand as an alternative to organic fertilizer for crop production. This enables farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers which leads to a decrease in production costs. In spite of the beneficial effects in agricultural production, rice straw compost cannot be produced in large amounts because the burning of rice straws is a common farming practice. The decisions of farmers who use rice straw compost have been investigated by interviewing 120 households belonging to the members of an organic fertilizer user group using a household questionnaire. The study was conducted to evaluate the factors that affect the use of rice straw compost in Khon Kaen Province in Northeastern Thailand. Results of the logit model showed that the farmers’ education, number of rice straw compost trainings in which the farmer participated, lack of knowledge about technology, insufficient labour and difficulty in making rice straw compost had a significant impact on the farmer’s decision to use rice straw compost. Difficulty in making rice straw compost appeared to be the root cause because the procedure of making rice straw compost is complex and labour intensive. Repeated trainings thus, will have a positive and significant influence on farmers’ adoption of the technology. Training provides more knowledge and will presumably change the perception of the farmers towards new technologies and the awareness of positive effects of rice straw compost utilization.

Determinants of crop diversity and composition in Enset-coffee agroforestry homegardens of Southern Ethiopia

Households in much of the tropics depend for their livelihoods on the variety and continued production of food and other products that are provided by their own farms. In such systems, maintenance of agrobiodiversity and ensuring food security are important for the well being of the population. The enset-coffee agroforestry homegardens of Southern Ethiopia that are dominated by two native perennial crops, Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and Enset (Enset ventricosum Welw. Cheesman), are examples of such agricultural systems. This study was conducted in Sidama administrative zone of Southern Ethiopia to determine the factors that influence the diversity and composition of crops in the systems. Data were collected from 144 sample homegardens selected from four districts. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to relate indices of crop diversity and area share of major crops with the physical and socioeconomic factors. The study revealed that socioeconomic factors, mainly proximity to markets, affected negatively crop species richness. The production area of the main crops enset and coffee decreased with increasing proximity to market and road while that of maize and khat increased. At household level, farm size had a significant effect on area share of enset and coffee. As farm size increased the share of the cash crop, coffee increased but that of the staple, enset declined. Enset, which is the backbone of the system in terms of food security, is declining on small farms and the share of monoculture maize system is increasing. The trend towards declining agrobiodiversity, and reduction in the production area of the main perennial crops and their gradual replacement with monoculture fields could make the systems liable to instability and collapse. As these sites are high potential agricultural areas, intensification can be achieved by integrating high-value and more productive crops, such as fruits, spices and vegetables, while maintaining the integrated and complex nature of the systems.

Farmers’ desired traits and selection criteria for maize varieties and their implications for maize breeding: A case study from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Adoption of hybrids and improved varieties has remained low in the smallholder farming sector of South Africa, despite maize being the staple food crop for the majority of households. The objective of this study was to establish preferred maize characteristics by farmers which can be used as selection criteria by maize breeders in crop improvement. Data were collected from three villages of a selected smallholder farming area in South Africa using a survey covering 300 households and participatory rural appraisal methodology. Results indicated a limited selection of maize varieties grown by farmers in the area compared to other communities in Africa. More than 97% of the farmers grew a local landrace called Natal-8-row or IsiZulu. Hybrids and improved open pollinated varieties were planted by less than 40% of the farmers. The Natal-8-row landrace had characteristics similar to landraces from eastern and southern Africa and closely resembled Hickory King, a landrace still popular in Southern Africa. The local landrace was preferred for its taste, recycled seed, tolerance to abiotic stresses and yield stability. Preferred characteristics of maize varieties were high yield and prolificacy, disease resistance, early maturity, white grain colour, and drying and shelling qualities. Farmers were willing to grow hybrids if the cost of seed and other inputs were affordable and their preferences were considered. Our results show that breeding opportunities exist for improving the farmers’ local varieties and maize breeders can take advantage of these preferred traits and incorporate them into existing high yielding varieties.

Management practices and challenges in smallholder indigenous chicken production in Western Kenya

The potential benefit of indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) production is still under-exploited in Kenya despite the efforts by different stakeholders to mainstream this production system as a pathway to rural development. The production system is often characterized by low input-low output productivity and low commercialization of the enterprise. This study which dwells on the current management practices and challenges faced by smallholder indigenous chicken farmers was conducted to gain insights into the underlying causes of production constraints. In Western Kenya women (76%) dominate the indigenous chicken production system. The flock composition consists mainly of chicks, hens and pullets (80%) which reflects their retention for production purposes. Less than half of the farmers access institutional support services such as extension, training, credit and veterinary services. In addition, indigenous chicken is largely reared in a low input-low output free-range system with only few farmers (24.2%) adopting management interventions as disseminated by extension service. To improve production and attain increased productivity, policy should focus on repackaging extension messages that considers farmers economic situations and strengthens collective action initiatives. Accessing joint input purchase and collective marketing of chicken products may further assist the farmers to increase profit margins.

Pesticide-handling practices of smallholder coffee farmers in Eastern Jamaica

Pesticide use among smallholder coffee producers in Jamaica has been associated with significant occupational health effects. Research on pesticide handling practices, however, has been scarce, especially in eastern Jamaica. This explorative study aims at filling this gap and provides a first basis to develop effective interventions to promote a safer pesticide use. A random sample of 81 coffee farmers was surveyed. The majority of farmers reported to suffer from at least one health symptom associated with pesticide handling, but safety practices were scarcely adopted. There was also the risk that other household members and the wider local community are exposed to pesticides. The lack of training on pesticide management, the role of health services and the cost for protective equipment seemed to be the most significant factors that influence current pesticide handling practices in eastern Jamaica. Further research is recommended to develop a systemic understanding of farmer’s behaviour to provide a more solid basis for the development of future intervention programmes.

Spatial and harvesting influence on growth, yield, quality and economic potential of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Wall Ex. Nees)

Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as Kalmegh, is used both in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines because of its immunological, antibacterial and hepatoprotective properties. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of four harvesting times (120,135,150 days after planting and at seed maturity) and four planting distances (30×15, 30×10, 20×15 and 20×10 cm) on growth, dry herbage biomass, seed yield and quality traits of Andrographis paniculata at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India in the two years 2005 and 2006. The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The maximum values for dry herbage biomass yield (5.14 t ha^(-1)), net returns (760.00 EUR ha^(-1)), B:C ratio (2.59), andrographolide content (2.63%) and total yield (135.00 kg ha^(-1)) were detected 135 days after planting with an optimum planting distance of 30×15 cm. However, the maximum iron content was estimated 120 days after planting. The highest dry herbage (4.58 t ha^(-1)) and maximum seed yield (19.7 kg ha^(-1)) were registered at plants that were lined out with a distance of 20×10 cm.

The Food Crisis: Implications for Labor

Food prices have gone up to prohibitive levels for many of the world’s poor. The vast majority of those who are hungry in the world today are working in agriculture, either as small landholders or as waged agricultural workers. The majority of the food producers have not benefited from rising prices. Apparently, the bargaining power of many producers, just as that of the end consumers, has been weakened vis-à-vis the buyers and retailers of agricultural produce. This powerlessness is also in the face of governments that fail to provide an appropriate infrastructure for smallholders and social protection. The first part of the book provides an introduction to the immediate and structural causes of the food crisis. The second part contains contributions that not only highlight the plight of rural labour but also develop tools for measuring the decent work deficit. The last part emphasizes income security as a major precondition for food security. It looks at the experiences of Brazil and India with the extension of social protection for the poor.

Causes of legume rotation induced yield increases in cereals grown on West African soils

This study was conducted to investigate soil biological and chemical factors that give rise to cereal yield enhancing effects of legume rotations on sandy, nutrient poor West African soils. The aim was not only to gain more information on the role of legume residues and microorganisms in the soil nutrient cycle. But the study aimed at evaluating if differences in substrate qualities (e.g. root residues) cause changes in the microbial community structure due to specific and highly complex microbe-root-soil interactions. Site and system specific reactions of microorganisms towards rewetting, simulating the onset of rainy season, were observed. Higher respiration rates, higher amounts of microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen (Nmic) as well as higher ergosterol, muramic acid, glucosamine and adenylate concentrations were measured in CL soils of Koukombo and in both soils from Fada. The immediate increase in ATP concentrations after rewetting was likely caused by rehydration of microbial cells where N was not immobilized and, thus, available for plants facilitating their rapid development. Legume root residues led only to slightly better plant performances compared to the control, while the application of cereal roots reduced seedling growth. In contrast to sorghum seedlings, the microbial community did not react to the mineral treatment. Thus the energy supply in form of organic amendments increased microbial indices compared to mineral P application and the control. The results of basal respiration rates, Cmic and Corg levels indicate that the microbial community in the soil from Koukombo is less efficient in substrate use compared to microorganisms in the soil from Fada. However, the continuous carbon input by legume root residues might have contributed to these differences in soil fertility. With the 33P isotopic exchange method a low buffering capacity was detected in both soils irrespective of treatments. Calculated E values (E1min to E1min-1d and E1d-3m) indicated a slowly release of P due to root turnover while applied mineral P is taken up by plants or fixed to the soil. Due to the fact that sorghum growth reacted mainly to the application of mineral P and the microorganisms solely to the organic inputs, the combination of both amendments seems to be the best approach to a sustainable increase of crop production on many nutrient-poor, sandy West African soils. In a pot experiment, were CC and CL soils from Fada and Koukombo were adjusted to the same level of P and N concentrations, crop growth was significantly higher on CL soils, compared to the respective treatments on CC soils. Mycorrhizal infection of roots was increased and the number of nematodes, predominantly free living nematodes, was almost halfed on rotation soils. In conclusion, increased nutrient availability (especially P and N) through the introduction of legumes is not the only reason for the observed yield increasing effects. Soil biological factors seem to also play an important role. In a root chamber experiment the pH gradient along the root-soil-interface was measured at three times using an antimony microelectrode. For Fada soils, pH values were higher on CL than CC soils while the opposite was true for the Koukombo soils. Site-specific differences between Fada and Koukombo soils in N content and microbial community structures might have created varying crop performances leading to the contrasting pH findings. However, the mechanisms involved in this highly complex microbe-root-soil interaction remain unclear.