Summary
This cross-sectional survey of 63 smallholder macadamia farms in central and southern Malawi documents widespread soil fertility constraints, with the majority of soils characterised as strongly acidic sandy loams (pH ≤5.1) with critically low organic matter (>50% ≤1%) and inadequate cation exchange capacity (mean 1.67 cmol(+) kg⁻¹). The authors attribute these deficiencies to poor agronomic practices and long-term nutrient depletion from tree and annual crop uptake, and call for site-specific, sustainable soil nutrient management interventions tailored to smallholder macadamia production contexts.
Regional applicability
The study's findings on soil acidification, organic matter depletion, and nutrient imbalances in tree crop systems may be tangentially relevant to UK horticulture and agroforestry practitioners, though Malawi's tropical climate, soil parent material, and smallholder management contexts differ substantially from UK conditions. UK-specific soil fertility guidance and regulations are already well-established; relevance is primarily methodological (site-specific nutrient assessment approaches) rather than directly applicable.
Key measures
Soil pH, texture (sandy loam %), organic matter content (%), cation exchange capacity (cmol(+) kg⁻¹), and concentrations of essential nutrients
Outcomes reported
The study characterised soil fertility status across 63 smallholder macadamia farms by analysing 189 soil samples from 0–15 cm depth. Findings documented widespread deficiencies in soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, essential nutrients, and elevated soil acidity limiting macadamia productivity.
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