Comparative effects of two mineral fertilizers and three organic manures on the agro-morphological characteristics of a variety of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), cultivated in commune of Korhogo, Northern Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The yield of sorghum grains, despite its importance in feeding the populations of northern Côte d'Ivoire, is still very low. This study was initiated with the objective of contributing to the improvement of sorghum production by evaluating the effects of different types of mineral and organic fertilizers in improving the growth and yield characteristics of the said crop. The study was conducted in the municipality of Korhogo, following a Fisher block device, comprising 7 treatments and 4 repetitions. The 7 treatments studied included three types of mineral fertilizers (Yara Mila Actyva type and two NPK types, with surface and micro-dose applications), three types of organic fertilizers (cow, rabbit and chicken droppings) and the control without fertilizer. The results, obtained, showed that the growth and yield characteristics were improved by the NPK types and the poultry and rabbit droppings brought in. These two types of fertilizers, with average productions of ears, varying between 1.6 and 2.5 ears per plant gave the best productions. Organic fertilizer, based on cow bursa, and the control did not significantly improve the production of sorghum. In a context where the high price of mineral fertilizers is very often a brake on the intensification of crops, this study constitutes a contribution to fertilization through the use of organic fertilizers and adapted to the socio-economic conditions of the region, knowing the low income of farmers.