Effect of Seed Priming and Micro-Dosing of Fertilizer on Sorghum and Pearl Millet in Western Sudan

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effect of seed priming and micro-dosing (the application of small amounts of mineral fertilizers) was studied in sorghum and pearl millet in on-station and on-farm experiments for three seasons under rainfed conditions in the North Kordofan State, western Sudan. Seed priming consists of soaking the seeds for eight hours in water prior to sowing. Seed priming increased sorghum grain yield in the on-station experiments across three seasons from 482 kg ha−1 to 807 kg ha−1. Micro-dosing of 0.3 g, 0.6 g and 0.9 g NPK fertilizer (17-17-17) per pocket increased sorghum grain yield by 50.4, 68.8 and 109.7% respectively compared to the control. Seed priming did not significantly increase pearl millet yield while the micro-doses of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 g fertilizer increased millet yield by 31.3, 30.7 and 47% respectively. On-farm seed priming increased sorghum yields by 32.6% while seed priming plus 0.3 g fertilizer increased yields by 69.5%. For millet, the corresponding yields increased by 29.8% and 71% respectively. Fertilizer use efficiency for both crops increased remarkably with seed priming, although this effect was more apparent in sorghum than in millet. In sorghum, seed priming and the application of 0.9 g fertilizer per pocket increased the gross margin from 49.5 to 206.5 US$/ha. For millet, the gross margin increased from 44.9 in the control to 90.0 US$/ha with the combination of seed priming and 0.3 g fertilizer per pocket. These technologies are simple to apply; they offer low financial cost and low risk and are affordable for resource-poor farmers.

Long term effects of reduced fertilizer rates on millet yields and soil properties in the West-African Sahel

“…The reduced fertilizer rate increased yield by 110 % over the control, whereas the recommended rate increased yield by 16 % compared to the reduced rate. A similar yield increase was seen in short-term microdosing trials in Africa, ranging from a 46-220 % increase from unfertilized to microdosed depending on the fertilizer rates, crops grown, and climatic conditions of the specific trial (Aune and Ousman 2011;Bagayoko et al 2011). Although fertilizer greatly improved yield in the initial years of application, yield trend was negative over time at both fertilizer rates (Fig.…”

“…Fertilizer microdosing, which is the application of about half the recommended rate of fertilizer near the seedling within 10 days of sowing (Twomlow et al 2008), has potential to ease smallholder fertilizer use constraints in the Sahel. Microdosing has been found in the short term to substantially increase yields and nutrient use efficiency, while simultaneously increasing income by reducing farmer investment and risk (Twomlow et al 2008;Aune and Ousman 2011;Bagayoko et al 2011;Sime and Aune 2014). While the short-term benefits of microdosing in the Sahel are now known, there has been little research on the long-term effects of microdosing on soil fertility and agroecosystem sustainability.…”

Effects of crop improvement technologies on downy mildew of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

“…Chivasa et al (2000), Harris (2006), Akbar et al (2009) andZhang et al (2015) used seed priming technique to improve seed germination and seedling establishment of chickpea, maize, millet, rice and sorghum. Primed seeds showed faster emergence, better stands and more vigorous plants (Harris et al, 1999;Aune and Ousman, 2011). Downy mildew severity was significantly (P≤0.05) reduced and pearl millet yield was improved by seed priming.…”

“…This technology had shown faster emergence, better stands, and low incidence of re-sowing, more vigorous plants, better drought tolerance, earlier flowering, earlier harvest (Harris et al, 1999Zhang et al, 2015) and higher grain yield in maize, rice, sorghum, groundnut and chickpea (Harris et al, 1999;Ousman and Aune, 2011;Sime and Aune, 2014). Fertilizer micro-dosing on the other hand, involves the application of small amounts of mineral fertilizer (0.3 to 4 g) onto or close to the seed during planting (Tabo et al, 2006;Twomlow et al, 2010;Bagayoko et al, 2011;Aune and Ousman, 2011). This method was reported to increase crop yields at low cost (Aune and Bationo, 2008;Aune et al, 2007;Buerkert et al, 2001;Hayashi, 2008;Klaij et al, 1994;Aune and Ousman, 2011;Camara et al, 2013).…”

“…Fertilizer micro-dosing on the other hand, involves the application of small amounts of mineral fertilizer (0.3 to 4 g) onto or close to the seed during planting (Tabo et al, 2006;Twomlow et al, 2010;Bagayoko et al, 2011;Aune and Ousman, 2011). This method was reported to increase crop yields at low cost (Aune and Bationo, 2008;Aune et al, 2007;Buerkert et al, 2001;Hayashi, 2008;Klaij et al, 1994;Aune and Ousman, 2011;Camara et al, 2013).…”