Alleviating soil fertility constraints to increased crop production in West Africa: the experience in the Sahel

Lack of moisture limits crop production in semi-arid west Africa but poor soil fertility is a more serious constraint in the long run. Work done by IFDC and ICRISAT showed that phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient although response by millet to nitrogen when moisture and P are non-limiting can b...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fertilizer Research 1991-07, Vol.29 (1), p.95-115
Main Authors: Bationo, A. (International Fertilizer Development Center, Lome (Togo)), Mokwunye, A.U
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cenchrus americanus
crop management
crop production
FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO
FERTILITE DU SOL
fertilizers
RENDEMENT
RENDIMIENTO
SAHEL
SEMIARID ZONES
SOIL FERTILITY
Western Africa
YIELDS
ZONA SEMIARIDA
ZONE SEMI ARIDE
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:Lack of moisture limits crop production in semi-arid west Africa but poor soil fertility is a more serious constraint in the long run. Work done by IFDC and ICRISAT showed that phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient although response by millet to nitrogen when moisture and P are non-limiting can be substantial. A summary of the results of field trials in Niger showed that the sufficiency level for P estimated by regression analysis on the basis of Bray 1 extractable P is 7.9 micrograms P/g of soil for 90% of maximum yield of millet. Application of 15-20 kg P/ha was usually adequate for optimum yields. Matam phosphate rock (PR) from Senegal, Tilemsi PR from Mali and Tahoua PR from Niger which are medium reactive were found to be suitable for direct application while partial acidulation (50% with sulfuric acid) of the less reactive phosphate rocks resulted in products with similar agronomic effectiveness as commercial superphosphates. Tests conducted by farmers showed that millet yields can be increased by more than 250% by the use of fertilizers. The need for constant monitoring of the crop needs for sulfur and potassium under continuous cultivation was highlighted.
ISSN:0167-1731
1573-0867
DOI:10.1007/BF01048992