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

Klaij, M C and Renard, C and Reddy, K C (1994) Low Input Technology Options for Millet-based Cropping Systems in the Sahel. Experimental Agriculture, 30. pp. 77-82. ISSN 1469-4441

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Abstract

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.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: Mandate crops > Millets
Depositing User: Mr Charan Sai Ch
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2011 04:02
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2013 12:14
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/3058
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700023863
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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