Short- and long-term effects of crop residues and of phosphorus fertilization on pearl millet yield on an acid sandy soil in Niger, West Africa

Rebafka, F P and Hebel, A and Bationo, A and Stahr, K and Marschner, H (1994) Short- and long-term effects of crop residues and of phosphorus fertilization on pearl millet yield on an acid sandy soil in Niger, West Africa. Field Crops Research, 36 (2). pp. 113-124. ISSN 0378-4290

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Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 1990 and 1991 on an acid sandy soil (Luvic Arenosol) in Niger, to assess long-term (since 1986) andshort-term (since 1990) effectsof millet straw (cropresidues) at different amounts (2 t and 6 t ha−1) and modes of application (incorporation, mulching and burning), andofphosphorus (P) fertilization on dry matter yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. Especially long-term, but also short-term application ofcropresidues increased dry matter yield of pearl millet by more than 60%, whereas their omission decreased yield immediately. Compared to mulching or burning, higher yields were obtained with incorporation ofcropresidues. When cropresidues were applied as mulch, dry matter yield was increased to the same extent by 2 t and 6 t ha−1. Similar dry matter yields were achieved with cropresidues (-P) to those with P fertilizer only. An additional yield increase could be obtained by simultaneous application ofcropresiduesand P. Without cropresidues, potassium (K) concentrations in the shoot dry matter indicated K deficiency. With cropresidues considerable amounts of K (15 kg t−1) were provided and raised the K concentrations in the plants to the sufficiency range. Although with cropresidues some P was provided (1.5 kg t−1), the beneficial effects were primarily attributed to increased P acquisition by the millet plants, which was reflected in enhanced root growth in the topsoil (0–10 cm)

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Crop residue; Pearl millet; Pennisetum; Phosphorus; Root growth; West Africa
Subjects: Mandate crops > Millets
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2012 03:43
Last Modified: 20 Sep 2013 12:41
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5973
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4290(94)90060-4
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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