Increasing Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] Productivity by Combining Micro-dosing of Chemical Fertilizer and Local Organic Matters in the Sahel Region, Niger

抄録

The micro-dosing (MD) technique has been disseminated in the Sahel region of West Africa to ensure that farmers make efficient use of affordable amounts of chemical fertilizer. However, it has been observed that unexpected drought conditions right after seeding often result in serious damage to seeds having received MD of chemical fertilizer. This is due to the acidity of the fertilizer. Hence, we needed to verify the efficacy of the MD technique in the Sahel region. Field tests were conducted in farmers’ fields of two villages in Niger as well as demonstrations to show the soil management method of combining the MD technique and organic matter (OM) input. There were four treatments: zero application as control, fertilizer application by MD sole, OM application sole, and co-application of fertilizer by MD and OM.

Sole fertilizer application by MD did not show a positive effect on pearl millet growth and yield compared to control. However, the application of OM sole and co-application of fertilizer using MD and OM had a high potential to enhance the shoot dry matter and grain yield of pearl millet by improving the level of soil fertility and nutrient uptake. These results indicated the importance of OM input into the Sahelian sandy soil with low capacities of nutrient capture and buffer to enhance the positive effect of chemical fertilizer input.