Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Smallholder Farming Systems

Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) is an approach that seeks to optimise crop production by combining the use of mineral fertilisers, organic inputs, improved seed varieties and sound agronomic practices, tailored to the heterogeneity of smallholder farming environments. By aligning nutrient management with soil properties, climate and farm resources, ISFM enhances nutrient use efficiency, mitigates soil degradation and narrows yield gaps without expanding cropland. Core components include the integration of legumes to enrich nitrogen, the incorporation of compost or manure to boost soil organic matter, site-specific fertiliser application to balance macro- and micronutrients, and adaptive cropping sequences that reinforce soil structure and biological activity. Recognition of spatial and socio-economic variability within and between farms underpins the design of locally adapted packages, supported by decision-support tools and extension services. The widespread adoption of such integrated strategies has demonstrated improved yields, reduced input costs and strengthened resilience of smallholder systems across diverse agroecological zones.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have shown that spatially differentiated nitrogen management, combining urea with compost and legume rotations, can achieve substantial fertiliser savings and yield gains across varying input-level systems, particularly in regions facing disrupted fertiliser supply chains. This approach emphasises geospatial targeting of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to underperforming fields and balanced fertilisation in intensive systems to optimise resource use. Another line of inquiry has focused on maize production in Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating that coordinated improvements in cultivar choice, integrated pest and nutrient management, and tailored crop management can more than double on-farm yields within existing croplands. These findings advocate for investment in agronomic innovation and localised advisory services to realise intensification without land expansion.

Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Smallholder Farming Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in integrated soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM): A holistic strategy combining organic inputs, mineral fertilisers, improved germplasm and agronomic practices, adapted to local conditions to optimise soil fertility and crop yield.

Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE): The ratio of crop output to nutrient input, indicating how effectively plants utilise applied fertilisers.

Yield Gap: The difference between attainable or potential yield under optimal conditions and the actual yield achieved by farmers.

Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM): Tailoring fertiliser type and rate to the nutrient status and yield goals of individual fields or zones.

Nutrient Omission Trial: An experimental approach where specific nutrients are deliberately excluded to identify which elements limit plant growth and yield.

References

1. Spatially differentiated nitrogen supply is key in a global food–fertilizer price crisis. Nature Sustainability (2023).
2. Adopting yield-improving practices to meet maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa without cropland expansion. Nature Communications (2024).
3. Narrowing maize yield gaps across smallholder farming systems in Zambia: what interventions, where, and for whom?. Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2023).
4. Sustainable maize intensification through site-specific nutrient management advice: Experimental evidence from Nigeria. Food Policy (2023).
5. Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation. The Soil (2015).