Water Use and Yield of Millet Under the Zai System: Understanding the Processes Using Simulation

Abstract

In the drylands of Africa about 90% of the population is rural and depends on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. There is an increasing pressure on the natural resources due to the high population growth, and farmers are constrained to cultivate marginal lands, thereby compounding the land degradation problem. Low and erratic rainfall, its poor distribution within the growing season, prolonged dry spells, lack of adequate water supply due to soil physical degradation (soil crusting) and nutrient shortage adversely affect crop growth and yields. To address these problems, indigenous, easy to implement innovations such as the zai system may provide solutions to increase productivity. The effect of three planting techniques (Flat, zai pit of 25 cm and zai pit of 50 cm diameter) and three fertility management options (control, crop residue, cattle manure) were tested at Damari in 1999 in Niger. Soil water was monitored from weekly measurements using a Didcot

Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies: An assessment on sorghum for Burkina Faso

“…Zaï or other soil and water conservation techniques for crop production could increase crop production and food security in West Africa's drylands. Since this adaptation strategy is not directly available as an option in DSSAT, we set initial soil conditions in DSSAT by keeping water availability at 60% and nitrogen content at 62 kg/ha (Fatondji et al, 2012;Faye et al, 2018). This is because Zaï could increase the soil water content and water and nutrient use efficiency by trapping water and enhancing its retention and infiltration into the soil for uptake by plants (Dougbedji, 2002;Kebenei et al, 2021).…”

Soil water crop modeling for decision support in millet-based systems in the Sahel: a challenge

“…CROPGROPeanut performed well in recent experiments in northern Benin (Adomou et al, 2005) and Ghana (Naab et al, 2004) taking into account disease damage. For an experiment at Tara, Niger, CERES-Millet substantially over predicted LAI, biomass, grain yield and soil water Fechter et al (Fechter et al, 1991), Fechter (1993, Mbabaliye and Wojtkowski (1994), Wafula (1995), Soler et al (2008) Fertilizer management Maize (Dry and wet Nigeria), maize (Malawi) Jagtap (1999), Thornton et al (1997), MacCarthy et al (2012; Adamou et al (2012), Irrigation and water management Wheat (Egypt), Wheat (Zimbabwe), Millet under Zaï Kamel et al (1995), Macrobert and Savage (1998);Fatondji et al (2012). Climate change and variability Maize (Zimbabwe) Muchena and Iglesia (1995), Phillips et al (1998) …”