Modelling stochastic crop response to fertilisation when carry-over matters

Jomini, P A and Deuson, R R and Lowenberg-DeBoer, J and Bationo, A (1991) Modelling stochastic crop response to fertilisation when carry-over matters. Agricultural Economics, 6 (2). pp. 97-113. ISSN 1574-0862

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Abstract

Soils in a large part of Niger's agricultural area are sandy and very low in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic matter. This low soil fertility combined with low and erratic rainfall constitutes a severe constraint on food cropping in the area. Although agronomists have advised chemical fertiliAtion as a means of improving soil fertility, little fertilizer has been used in this area of the world. The economic management of soil fertility in the agricultural area of Niger is analyzed using a dynamic model of farmer decision-making under uncertainty. The model is based on agronomic principles of plant growth and accounts for the carry over of P, an immobile nutrient. At current input prices, a soil P content of at least 14 pmm is found to be desirable. This target is above the natural soil fertility level of about 3 ppm. It can be maintained with a moderate annual application (12 kg P2O5 ha-1) of simple superphosphate. Results also suggests that returns to N fertilization are too low and variable to warrant the use of this input

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Others > Crop Modelling
Depositing User:	Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited:	22 May 2014 08:52
Last Modified:	24 Jul 2018 09:39
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/8042
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-5150(91)90019-H
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Google Scholar

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