Our special focus issue on carbon management in Africa’s agro ecosystems.

Thanks to its potential life span of hundreds of years, olive can develop great biomass and sequester large amounts of carbon (C). It may therefore play a critical role in reducing atmospheric C and improving farmer livelihoods by providing additional revenue from C credits.

Researchers examined the influence of irrigated grass and alfalfa established in arid locations with a range of soil salinity to determine their influence on C mineralization and accumulation.

Climate change is a global issue having significant effects on the grazing systems in Madagascar. In the Boeny region, extensive cattle farming based on natural grazing is at risk of forage shortages. Working with stakeholders across the system, this research assessed the vulnerability and adaptive potential of farms by studying farmers’ preferences, carbon (C) sources and C-stock positions, resource flows, and system management methods.

Maize productivity in sub-Saharan Africa often falls below its potential due to soil fertility challenges. Researchers assessed the potential to counteract soil organic carbon (SOC) losses and yield declines using different organic resource treatments, with and without mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer.

The slow increase in grain production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is largely the result of cropland expansion rather than an increase in crop yields, which have been stagnantly low (< 1.5 t ha-1). Sustainable intensification of crop production is therefore needed to feed a growing population whilst minimizing negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and climate. Full accounting of the net global warming potential (GWP) of management practices can provide a holistic approach for identifying cropping systems that promote sustainable agriculture intensification to ensure food security whilst mitigating climate change.

Microbial phosphorus (P) immobilization is a hidden challenge in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It affects crop establishment, growth, and response to mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer application that ultimately reduces crop yields.