The effect of crop residue and fertilizer use on pearl millet yields in Niger

A field study was conducted over a 4-year period in Niger, West Africa, to determine the effects of crop residue (CR), fertilizer, or a combination of crop residue and fertilizer (CRF) on yields of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.). Despite a decline in yields of control plots (initial y...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fertilizer Research 1993, Vol.34 (3), p.251-258
Main Authors: Bationo, A. (International Fertilizer Development Center, Lome (Togo)), Christianson, C.B, Klaij, M.C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ABONOS
aluminum
APLICACION DE ABONOS
calcium
cation exchange
Cenchrus americanus
CICLO BIOGEOQUIMICO
crop residue management
CROP RESIDUES
CROP YIELD
CYCLE BIOGEOCHIMIQUE
CYCLING
dry matter accumulation
ENGRAIS
erosion control
FERTILISATION
FERTILIZER APPLICATION
FERTILIZERS
grains
losses from soil
magnesium
NIGER
nitrogen
nutrient availability
nutrient content
nutrient uptake
NUTRIENTES
NUTRIENTS
PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES
phosphorus
potassium
rain
RENDEMENT DES CULTURES
RENDIMIENTO DE CULTIVOS
RESIDU DE RECOLTE
RESIDUOS DE COSECHAS
Sahel
soil depth
soil fertility
soil organic matter
soil pH
soil water content
stover
SUBSTANCE NUTRITIVE
wind erosion
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A field study was conducted over a 4-year period in Niger, West Africa, to determine the effects of crop residue (CR), fertilizer, or a combination of crop residue and fertilizer (CRF) on yields of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.). Despite a decline in yields of control plots (initial yields were 280 kg grain ha-' declining to 75 kg grain ha-1 over 4 years), yields of fertilizer plots were maintained at 800-1,000 kg grain ha-1. Continued application of CR slowly augmented yields to levels similar to those of the fertilized plots. The effects of CR and fertilizer were approximately additive in the CRF plots. Addition of CR and fertilizer increased soil water use over the control by 57 mm to 268 mm in an average season and helped trap wind-blown soil. These plots tended to exhibit slightly higher soil pH and lower Al saturation than did the fertilized treatments. Return of CR to the soil resulted in significantly reduced export of most plant nutrients, especially Ca, Mg, and K.
ISSN:0167-1731
1573-0867
DOI:10.1007/bf00750571