(i) Conducting soil tests for assessing fertility status and using appropriate targeted interventions,
(ii) Use of micronutrient fertilizers in appropriate formulations and at desired rates based on soil tests (e.g., Zn, Mo, Ni, Se, Si, Li, I), and supplying others through organic amendments (e.g., Fe, Cu, Mn, B, Cr, V),
(iii) Adopting diversified cropping systems including indigenous food crops, and,
(iv) Growing microelement dense varieties including improved crop varieties to improve bioavailability of essential elements (Hirsh and Sussman, 1999; Yang et al., 2007). Mapping soil micronutrients (White and Zasoski, 199) is essential to choosing appropriate SLM practices since micronutrient status can be used to index soil quality (Erkossa et al., 2007) and to identify strategies for its improvement. In parts of West Africa, where depletion of soil fertility through extractive farming practices creates negative nutrient budgets (Anonymous, 2006), enhancement of soil fertility is essential to improving soil quality and raising NPP, while also addressing CC. The current low level of SOC pool in the soils of SSA must be increased above the threshold level so that soils can respond to other inputs (e.g., improved varieties) and reduce farmer’s vulnerability to CC. Bationo et al. (2005) described several SLM options for soils of SSA including soil and water conservation through watershed management, use of fertilizers and other soil amendments, and crop residue management. These options are outlined in Figure 9.
