Fate and efficiency of N fertilizers applied to pearl millet in Niger

Christianson, C. B.; Bationo, A.; Henao, J.; Vlek, Paul L. G.

doi:10.1007/bf00010660

Cited by 43 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…The apparent percentage N recovery by maize crop that received only tithonia green biomass was 55.5% while urea treatment had 84.7% nitrogen recovery. Other researchers working on different N sources (organic inputs and synthetic inputs) also reported a percentage N recovery ranging from 25% to 111% (Westerman et al 1972;Kruijs et al 1988;Christianson et al 1990;Gachengo et al 1999;Rees and Castle 2002). The high N recovery by maize crop planted with sole urea was an indication that there was less N loss from soil-plant system.…”

Section: Nitrogen Uptake and Total %N Recovery By Maizementioning

confidence: 95%

Partial balance of nitrogen in a maize cropping system in humic nitisol of Central Kenya

Kimetu

Mugendi

Bationo

et al. 2006

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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The application of nitrogen in a soil under agricultural production is subject to several pathways including de-nitrification, leaching and recovery by an annual crop. This is as well greatly influenced by the management practices, nitrogen source and soil conditions. The main objective of this study was to investigate the loss of nitrogen (N) through nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions and mineral N leaching and uptake by annual crop as influenced by the N source. The study was carried out at Kabete in Central Kenya. Measurements were taken during the second season after two seasons of repeated application of N as urea and Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) leaves. Results obtained indicated that nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions at 4 weeks after planting were as high as 12.3 lg N m À2 h À1 for tithonia treatment and 2.9 lg N m À2 h À1 for urea treatment. Tithonia green biomass treatment was found to emit N 2 O at relatively higher rate compared to urea treatment. This was only evident during the fourth week after treatment application.Soil mineral N content at the end of the season increased down the profile. This was evident in the three treatments (urea, tithonia and control) investigated in the study. Urea treatment exhibited significantly higher mineral N content down the soil profile (9% of the applied N) compared to tithonia (0.6% of the applied N). This was attributed to the washing down of the nitrate-N from the topsoil accumulating in the lower layers of the soil profile. However, there was no significant difference in N content down the soil profile between tithonia treatment and the control. It could be concluded that there was no nitrate leaching in the tithonia treatment. Nitrogen recovery by the maize crop was higher in the urea treatment (76% of the applied N) as compared to tithonia treatment (55.5% of the applied N). This was also true for the residual mineral N in the soil at the end of the season which was about 7.8% of the applied N in the urea treatment and 5.2% in the tithonia treatment.From this study, it was therefore evident that although there is relatively lower N recovery by maize supplied with tithonia green biomass compared to maize supplied with urea, more nitrogen is being lost (through leaching) from the soil-plant system in the urea applied plots than in tithonia applied plots. However, a greater percentage (37.8%) of the tithonia-applied N could not be

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Section: Nitrogen Uptake and Total %N Recovery By Maizementioning

confidence: 95%

Partial balance of nitrogen in a maize cropping system in humic nitisol of Central Kenya

Kimetu

Mugendi

Bationo

et al. 2006

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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“…Using data from several field trials in Niger, Christianson et al [12] have developed a model relating millet yield to the availability of moisture at certain periods in the growing season. The model showed that grain and stover yields were most affected by midseason rainfall over a 6-week yield-sensitive period corresponding to millet stem elongation and anthesis growth stages (Fig.…”

Section: Nitrogenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alleviating soil fertility constraints to increased crop production in West Africa: The experience in the Sahel

Bationo¹,

Mokwunye²

1991

Alleviating Soil Fertility Constraints to Increased Crop Production in West Africa

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Lack of moisture limits crop production in semi-arid west Africa but poor soil fertility is a more serious constraint in the long run. Work done by IFDC and ICRISAT showed that phosphorus is the most limiting nutrient although response by millet to nitrogen when moisture and P are non-limiting can be substantial. A summary of the results of field trials in Niger showed that the sufficiency level for P estimated by regression analysis on the basis of Bray 1 extractable P is 7.9 JAg Pig of soil for 90% of maximum yield of millet. Application of 15-20 kg P/ha was usually adequate for optimum yields. Matam phosphate rock (PR) from Senegal, Tilemsi PR from Mali and Tahoua PR from Niger which are medium reactive were found to be suitable for direct application while partial acidulation (50% with sulfuric acid) of the less reactive phosphate rocks resulted in products with similar agronomic effectiveness as commercial superphosphates. Tests conducted by farmers showed that millet yields can be increased by more than 250% by the use of fertilizers. The need for constant monitoring of the crop needs for sulfur and potassium under continuous cultivation was highlighted.

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“…For instance, Gandah et al (2000) observed that maximum yield was not observed at the same place in farmer field every year (under the same fertility practice). Christianson et al (1990) tried to explain the millet grain yield as a function of N rate and annual or mid-season rainfall amount.…”

Section: Millet Growth and Yield Variability In Space And Timementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is no positive response to N unless adequate P is supplied (Buerkert and Stern, 1995;Buerkert et al, 2001). There were many research works done to prove the beneficial effect of N and manly P fertilizer in the area (e.g., Christianson et al, 1990;Bationo et al, 1992;Subbarao et al, 2000;Bationo and Ntare, 2000;Buerkert et al, 2001;Yamoah et al, 2002). Single superphosphate (SSP) applied annually at 13 kg P ha -1 effectively removed P deficiency on most cases.…”

Section: Mineral Fertilizermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although these models may have a role under particular circumstances, they have been largely replaced by models that are more or less dynamic, at least with respect to the soil water balance. Examples in the millet-based Sahelian system explained millet grain yield as a function of N rate and annual or mid-season rainfall (Christianson et al, 1990); N rate, plant density and rainfall during particular crop phase (Bationo et al, 1990b), N, P and /or K rates (Fussell et al, 1987); N, P and K rates with other soil, terrain and management variables (Voortman and Brouwer, 2003). As with any empirical model, these models can only be applied in their original zone of calibration.…”

Section: Empirical-statistical Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soil water crop modeling for decision support in millet-based systems in the Sahel: a challenge

Gérard¹,

Bielders²

2014

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Food insecurity in the Sahelian environment was extensively shown to be a result of low soil fertility and high climate risks. But decisions and recommendations made from the great wealth of research have little been adopted by farmers. Soil water crop models (SWCM) can assist researchers and development actors in this environment if they can appropriately deal with the constraints and mainly farmers' agricultural development goals. We reviewed the Sahelian agricultural constraints and farmer management practices with an emphasis on Niger and pearl millet. Significant results derived from research works to improve crop productivity are presented and analyzed with regard to the main agricultural constraints. Potential and currently used SWCMs are presented and compared for relevance for use in such a particular environment for decision support (DS). This shows that crop modeling in millet-based agricultural system of the Sahel should be addressed with an integrated approach that can handle the multiple and usually connected agricultural constraints of the region: low soil fertility and spatial variability, time and space rainfall variability. Recommendations were made regarding the relevant and minimum aspects that SWCM should take into account for a successful and reliable use for DS in the complex Sahelian environment.

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Fate and efficiency of N fertilizers applied to pearl millet in Niger

Cited by 43 publications

References 15 publications

Partial balance of nitrogen in a maize cropping system in humic nitisol of Central Kenya

Partial balance of nitrogen in a maize cropping system in humic nitisol of Central Kenya

Alleviating soil fertility constraints to increased crop production in West Africa: The experience in the Sahel

Soil water crop modeling for decision support in millet-based systems in the Sahel: a challenge

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