Optimizing Fertilizer Use within the Context of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Mali

Dicko, Mohamed; Koné, M.; Traore, Lamine; Diakite, Cheick Hamalla; Kamissoko, Nianankoro; Kouyaté, Zoumana; Sogodogo, Diakalia; Dioni, L.; Konare, Hamidou; Gakou, A.

doi:10.1079/9781786392046.0100

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The sole application of mineral fertilizers at different rates in both years were highly profitable (average VCR = 11). Findings in this study are consistent with Dicko et al 2017 andSitienei et al (2018) confirming the high profit potential of applying mineral fertilizers on crops. The implication of these results reiterates the integral role of site-specific nutrients application in sustainable crop production, soil fertility management (Angus et al, 2004;Ogundijo et al, 2015), and overall maximizing the net financial returns of farmers.…”

Section: Economic Appraisalsupporting

confidence: 86%

Nutrient Inputs for Rehabilitation of Non-responsive Soils in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Agroecological Zones of Ghana: Impact on Grain Yield and Soil Quality

Asei¹,

Abaidoo²,

Opoku³

et al. 2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Studies have shown that the continuous application of N, P, and K fertilizers has led to the depletion of secondary and micronutrients, which have become limiting nutrients hindering crop growth and yield. An on-farm trial was conducted to determine the effect of site-specific nutrient fertilizers and compost on soybean yield, phosphorus use efficiency, and soil properties, at Nyong Guma, Serekpere, Daffiama Saapare, and Naaga in northern Ghana. Nine (9) treatments (3 rates of mineral fertilizer × 3 rates of FertiSoil) were applied in a factorial combination arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. On average, the soybean grain yield increased significantly with the combined application of FertiSoil and mineral fertilizer at full rates at Nyong Guma, Serekpere, and Naaga from <1,000 kg ha−1 to > 1,500 kg ha−1. The co-application of 50% recommended rate (RR) of mineral fertilizer and 5 t ha−1 FertiSoil increased soybean grain yield by over 250% at Daffiama Saapare. The application of 50% RR mineral fertilizer significantly increased phosphorus use efficiency by 5–55% compared to its combination with FertiSoil or FertiSoil alone at different rates across locations. Incorporation of 5 t ha−1 FertiSoil and 100% RR mineral fertilizer significantly increased exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and microbial C and P by 0.33, 2.84, 0.56 cmol(+) kg−1 and 102.7, 33.37 mg kg−1, respectively, at Serekpere. The combined application of 5 t ha−1 FertiSoil and 50% RR mineral fertilizer relatively increased soil organic C (42%) and available P (12%) at Naaga. The soil quality index revealed that the addition of 5 t ha−1 FertiSoil to 100% RR mineral fertilizer was the most sustainable nutrient management option across the study sites. Sole mineral fertilizer treatments at 50% RR were the most profitable in all the study locations ranging from value cost ratio (VCR) of 2.7–7.6. The application of limiting nutrients and organic amendments serves as an efficient nutrient management option to improve soil health, crop production and economic profitability on smallholder non-responsive soils.

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Section: Economic Appraisalsupporting

confidence: 86%

Nutrient Inputs for Rehabilitation of Non-responsive Soils in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Agroecological Zones of Ghana: Impact on Grain Yield and Soil Quality

Asei¹,

Abaidoo²,

Opoku³

et al. 2022

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Pearl Millet and Cowpea Intercrop Response to Applied Nutrients in West Africa

et al. 2017

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Core Ideas Pearl millet and cowpea intercrop production is important in the Sahel. Inadequate nutrient supply constrains crop growth. Pearl millet sole crop nutrient response information is applicable for intercropping. Application of N and P to intercrop compared to sole crop has more profit potential. In the Sahel, crop production is dominated by pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] cropping systems including intercropping with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. The research objectives were to determine pearl millet sole crop (PMSC) and intercrop nutrient response functions, profit opportunities from fertilizer use, and a means of relating intercrop to PMSC response. Pearl millet–cowpea trials were conducted in Niger and Mali. The treatment structure was an incomplete factorial with five, four, and four levels of P, N, and K, respectively. Response functions were determined for intercropping with cowpea yield converted to a pearl millet grain yield equivalent for ratios of cowpea to pearl millet grain value (CpPm) ranging from 1 to 5 kg kg−1. Response functions were also determined in consideration of fodder value. A method of adjusting PMSC response coefficients with CpPm as the independent variable was developed for determination of intercrop response functions. Yields and responses to nutrients were low but adequate for profitable N and P use. Value of intercrop production ranged from 50 to 125% more compared with PMSC for CpPm of 2 and 4, and the respective response to 10 kg ha−1 P was 28 and 135% more with intercrop. Consideration of fodder added 23% to the yield value. Application of N and P for intercrop compared with PMSC production has much more profit potential. The ability to apply PMSC functions in determination of pearl millet–cowpea responses to applied nutrients offers a means to improve fertilizer use for the intercrop.

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Maize Sole Crop and Intercrop Response to Fertilizer in Mali and Niger

et al. 2018

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Core Ideas Applying N for maize production in semi‐arid west Africa can be profitable.The profit potential of N application is great for maize–groundnut intercrop.Application of P and K has low and inconsistent profit potential for maize production in semi‐arid west Africa.Nutrient response functions can be determined for maize–groundnut intercrop from maize sole crop data. Maize (Zea mays L.) is important in semiarid West Africa where the increase in demand exceeds the increase in production. Yield is often constrained by inadequate nutrient availability even though the occurrence of soil water deficits may overall be more constraining. Research was conducted in semiarid Mali and Niger to determine the yield and profit responses of maize sole crop (MzSC) to N, P, and K and to develop a procedure for determining maize–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) intercrop (MzGnI) nutrient response functions from MzSC functions. Trials were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at five locations spanning 14 degrees of longitude and two degrees of latitude. Mean MzSC grain yield increase due to 50 kg ha−1 N was 0.69 Mg ha−1 in Mali and 0.42 Mg ha−1 in Niger, and due to 10 kg ha−1 P was 0.14 Mg ha−1 in Niger with inconsistent P effects in Mali. Responses to K were negligible. Productivity and profit potential with N application was more with MzGnI compared with MzSC, but profit potential for applied P and K were not improved with MzGnI. Considering the fodder value of stover added to production value but did not have much effect on profits from fertilizer use. The procedure for determining MzGnI nutrient response functions by adapting MzSC functions was developed, providing a means to improve fertilizer use efficiency for MzGnI. Productivity and returns to applied N, on a maize grain value equivalent, are greater with MzGnI compared to MzSC.

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Optimizing Fertilizer Use within the Context of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Mali

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Nutrient Inputs for Rehabilitation of Non-responsive Soils in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Agroecological Zones of Ghana: Impact on Grain Yield and Soil Quality

Nutrient Inputs for Rehabilitation of Non-responsive Soils in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Agroecological Zones of Ghana: Impact on Grain Yield and Soil Quality

Pearl Millet and Cowpea Intercrop Response to Applied Nutrients in West Africa

Maize Sole Crop and Intercrop Response to Fertilizer in Mali and Niger

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