Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-2n9c9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-14T01:01:10.062Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Low Input Technology Options for Millet-based Cropping Systems in the Sahel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

M. C. Klaij,
C. Renard and
K. C. Reddy
M. C. Klaij
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Sahelian Center, BP 12404, Niamey, Niger
C. Renard
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Sahelian Center, BP 12404, Niamey, Niger
K. C. Reddy
Affiliation:
Institute National de Recherches Agronomiques du Niger (INRAN), BP 425, Niamey, Niger
Get accessRights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Pearl millet is a staple cereal cultivated mainly by subsistence farmers on 14 million ha of the West African semi-arid tropics. Increasing pressure on the land has reduced the length of the fallow periods, which are necessary to restore soil fertility, resulting in declining yields. To investigate ways of reversing this decline, three systems combining phosphorus fertilizer application, improved varieties of millet and cowpea, and improved agronomic practices were compared with the traditional millet–cowpea intercrop system in a three year experiment. The most productive system involved the rotation of fertilized millet and cowpea. Pre-sowing tillage increased hay and fodder yields in all the improved systems. The application of fertilizer increased the amount of available phosphorus in the soil. Soil pH declined somewhat in all treatments, although the initially low soil organic matter did not change.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 1994, pp. 77 - 82
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

Bationo, A. & Mokwunye, A. U. (1991). Alleviating soil fertility constraints to increased crop production in West Africa: The experience in the Sahel. Fertilizer Research 29:95–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christianson, B., Bationo, A., Henao, A. & Vlek, P. L. G. (1988). Fate and efficiency of N fertilizers in Niger. Plant and Soil 125:221–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fussell, L. K., Serafini, P. G., Bationo, A. & Klaij, M. C. (1987). Management practices to increase yield and yield stability of millet in Africa. In Proceedings of the International Pearl Millet Workshop, 7–11 April 1986, ICRISAT Center, India, 255–268. Patancheru, AP 502324, India: ICRISAT.Google Scholar
Giri, G. & De, R. (1979). Effect of preceding grain legumes on dryland pearl millet in NW India. Experimental Agriculture 15:169–172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) (1990). ICRISAT West African Programs Annual Report 1989. BP 12404, Niamey, Niger: ICRISAT Sahelian Center.Google Scholar
Jones, M. S. & Wild, A. (1975). Soils of the West African Savanna. Commonwealth Bureau of Soils, Technical Communication No. 55. Slough, Farnham Royal, UK: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau.Google Scholar
Klaij, M. C. & Hoogmoed, W. B. (1993). Soil management for crop production in the West African Sahel. II. Emergence, establishment, and yield of pearl millet. Soil and Tillage Research 25:301–315.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Preece, D. A. (1986). Some general principles of crop rotation experiments. Experimental Agriculture 22:187–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Radke, J. K., Andrews, R. W., Janke, R. R. & Peters, S. E. (1988). Low-input cropping systems and efficiency of water and nitrogen use. In Cropping Strategies for Efficient Use of Water and Nitrogen. Special Publication 51, 193–218. Madison, WI: ASA, CSSA and SSSA.Google Scholar
Sawadogo, S., Nagy, J. G. & Ohm, H. W. (1985). Cereal-cowpea associations in Burkina Faso. In Appropriate Technologies for Fars in Semi-Arid West Africa, 249–259 (Eds Ohm, H. W. and Nagy, J. C.). West Lafayette, Indiana, USA: Purdue University.Google Scholar
SEDES (Societé d'Etudes pour le Développement Economique et Social) (1987). Etude du Secteur Agricole du Niger. Bilan Diagnostic Phase I. Paris: SEDES.Google Scholar
Swinton, S. M., Numa, G. & Samba, L. A. (1984). Les cultures associées en milieu paysan dans deux régions du Niger: Filingue et Mararouwa. In Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Intercropping in the Sahel and Sahelo-Sudanian Zones of West Africa, 7–10 November 1984. 183–194. Niamey, Niger and Bamako, Mali: Institut du Sahel.Google Scholar