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

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Alleviating Soil Fertility Constraints to Increased Crop Production in West Africa

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 47))

Abstract

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 μg 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.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IFDC-Afrique, B.P. 4483, Lomé, Togo

    A. Bationo & A. U. Mokwunye

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  1. A. Bationo
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  2. A. U. Mokwunye
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Fertilizer Development Center, Lomé, Togo

    A. Uzo Mokwunye

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© 1991 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Bationo, A., Mokwunye, A.U. (1991). Alleviating soil fertility constraints to increased crop production in West Africa: The experience in the Sahel. In: Mokwunye, A.U. (eds) Alleviating Soil Fertility Constraints to Increased Crop Production in West Africa. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3224-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3224-4_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-1221-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3224-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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