Numéro du projet: 26.24.19.00.01_CIRNA

CIRNA: Économie circulaire des éléments nutritifs dans les agroécosystèmes et effets secondaires positifs sur la santé animale et humaine

Smallholder crop-livestock farms in sub-Saharan Africa are confronted with limited access to plant nutrients, particularly synthetic fertilizers. The low use of synthetic fertilizers is attributed to financial constraints, which are exacerbated by current global events like the Ukraine war and volatile energy prices, and jeopardize food security and nutrition in Low-and-Middle Income Countries (LMIC). As a consequence, organic alternatives for plant nutrients, specifically livestock manures, are critically needed to enhance crop yields and improve soil fertility. However, inadequate manure management poses risks, including nutrient losses, environmental pollution, and health issues. By combining laboratory research with participatory field studies, this project will generate practical, evidence-based solutions for safe and sustainable manure management, improving agricultural productivity and environmental outcomes across East Africa.

Nom, Prénom Site
Merbold Lutz Reckenholz
Michalscheck Mirja Reckenholz

Kohonen K.-M., Kübert A., Merbold L., Räsänen M., Buchmann N., Mammarella I., Pellikka P., Vesala T.
Tracking canopy conductance and transpiration of CAM-plants Agave sisalana with carbonyl sulfide fluxes.
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 378, 2026, Article 110966.

Ali A. I. M., Roessler R., Korir D., Sainz-Sanchez P. A., Goopy J. P., Merbold L., Schlecht E.
Enteric methane concentrations from Boran steers determined with a laser methane detector under open-pen conditions and in the respiration chamber.
Frontiers in Animal Science, 7, 2026, Article 1747925.

Zhu Y., Merbold L., Oduor C. O., Barthel M., Fang X., Six J., Butterbach-Bahl K., Ntinyari W., Leitner S. M.
Manure management in African smallholder farms affects greenhouse gas emissions and leachate losses.
Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 26, 2026, Article 100352.

Räsänen M., Omondi J., Odongo V., Abera T., Tuure J., Heiskanen J., Hsieh C.-I., Alakukku L., Merbold L., Pellikka P., Vesala T.
Critical soil moisture thresholds for evapotranspiration in rainfed semi-arid maize in Kenya.
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 385, 2026, Article 111219.

Paunovic S., Jacobi J., Ndung'u P., Michalscheck M., Merbold L.
The potential of the Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE) to estimate greenhouse gas emissions.
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9, 2026, Article 1717931.

Michalscheck M., Leitner S., Wanyama I., Muchai D., Merbold L.
Localized innovations for inclusive and viable digital extension.
Dans: EADI Konferenz. 30 June, Ed. IOB, Antwerpen (BE). 2026.

Michalscheck M., Leitner S., Wanyama I., Merbold L.
Without social fit, no technical fix: Inclusive digital extension for smallholders in Kenya and Uganda.
Dans: EGU. 4 May, Ed. Copernicus, Wien (AT). 2026.

Asiedu P., Michalscheck M., Hundie Kotu B., Zemadim Birhanu B., Padmanabhan M., Osei Amponsah C.
Responsible scaling for sustainable intensification: Dimensions of land rights and farmer realities in Northern Ghana.
Land Use Policy, 169, 2026, Article 108151.