Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) in Determining Mineral Status of Cotton in the Cotton Zones of Benin

Abstract

This study aimed at developing parameters of the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) model for the assessment nutrient status for cotton grown in Benin.. Soil physical and chemical characteristics, leaves nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and seed-cotton yield were assessed on samples gathered from 150 farmers’ fields in 2018. Nutrient indices were computed using standard DRIS procedures. Results showed that phosphorus was in excess in the petiole and the whole leaves but in deficit in the limb. Potassium content was adequate according in the petiole and leaves but deficient in the limb. Ca content was limiting in the limb or the whole leaves and adequate in the petiole. Based on the diagnosis made in the petioles, Mg was deficient while adequate in the limbs and leaves. In the limb, the order of the macronutrients is as follows: K> P> N. On the other side, in the petiole and the whole leaves, the order of the macronutrients becomes: P> K> N. In the whole leaves and limb, the order of the secondary elements is as follows: Mg> Ca, whereas in the petiole the order of the secondary elements becomes: Ca> Mg.

“Sedentarisation” of transhumant pastoralists results in privatization of resources and soil fertility decline in West Africa's cotton belt

“…During the last years, Benin promoted the use of external inputs such as mineral fertilizers and pesticides, which resulted in a 65% increase in production and an average 31% yield increase (DSA, 2021). This success correlated however with a generalized decline in soil fertility (Amonmide et al, 2019). As part of this process, Benin adopted a law to promote the settlement (or "sedentarisation, " as it is locally known) of transhumant herders, which contemplates development projects that included granting them access to land for farming.…”