Pearl millet-based intercropping systems in the semiarid areas of Senegal

Diangar, S.; Fofana, Amadou; Diagne, Mandiaye; Yamoah, Charles F.; Dick, R.P.

doi:10.4314/acsj.v12i2.27671

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The fertilizer effect on crop yield was more apparent in 2005 when water was not limiting crop growth (M. Sene, personal communication, 2011). The millet yield levels obtained in our study are within the yield ranges previously reported (Dancette, 1980;van Duivenbooden and Cissé, 1993;Diangar et al, 2004) and were generally higher than a similar study in Senegal where millet and peanut were intercropped with G. senegalensis at a drier site (Dossa et al, 2012).…”

Section: Crop Yieldsupporting

confidence: 88%

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel

Dossa¹,

Diédhiou

Khouma

et al. 2013

Agronomy Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst., an indigenous shrub, forms an important vegetative component of parkland cropping systems in the Sahel; however, its biophysical interactions with soil and crops are not well understood. Therefore, the objectives were to determine the impact of P. reticulatum, under varying fertilizer rates, on crop yield response and soil nutrient dynamics. The experiment had a split-plot factorial design, where the main plot was shrub (presence or absence) and the subplot was fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 times the recommended N-P-K fertilizer rate) applied to a peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)-pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] rotation. In 3 of the 4 yr, P. reticulatum improved or had no effect on crop yields when averaged across fertilizer rates. Overall, millet and peanut biomass and N and P uptake by millet increased in the presence of shrubs and with increasing fertilizer rate. Contrary to P, inorganic N in the soils changed very rapidly, reaching very low levels by the end of the growing season. The N content of soil leachates below the rooting zone was generally lower beneath than outside the shrub canopy, suggesting that the shrub conserves N that is otherwise lost through leaching. Piliostigma reticulatum increased particulate organic matter, indicating that this shrub improved soil quality. These results suggest that P. reticulatum, under nonthermal management and a higher density than typically found in farmers' fields, has ecological benefits with improved soils and reduced loss of N, which has implications throughout the Sahel.

show abstract

Section: Crop Yieldsupporting

confidence: 88%

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel

Dossa¹,

Diédhiou

Khouma

et al. 2013

Agronomy Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The linear response of millet grain yield to fertilizer is very common in Sahelian agroecosystems (Bationo et al, 1993) and would be expected on the sandy soils of our study. While yield levels of 2005 and 2007 are within the expected yield range (Dancette, 1978; van Duivenbooden and Cissé, 1993; Diangar et al, 2004), values of peanut in 2004 and 2006 fell below long‐term averages partly due to a rainfall deficit (M. Sene, personal communication, 2007).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub (Guiera senegalensis)–Based Farming System of the Sahel

Dossa¹,

Diédhiou

Khouma

et al. 2012

Agronomy Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst., an indigenous shrub, forms an important vegetative component of parkland cropping systems in the Sahel; however, its biophysical interactions with soil and crops are not well understood. Therefore, the objectives were to determine the impact of P. reticulatum, under varying fertilizer rates, on crop yield response and soil nutrient dynamics. The experiment had a split‐plot factorial design, where the main plot was shrub (presence or absence) and the subplot was fertilizer rate (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 times the recommended N–P–K fertilizer rate) applied to a peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] rotation. In 3 of the 4 yr, P. reticulatum improved or had no effect on crop yields when averaged across fertilizer rates. Overall, millet and peanut biomass and N and P uptake by millet increased in the presence of shrubs and with increasing fertilizer rate. Contrary to P, inorganic N in the soils changed very rapidly, reaching very low levels by the end of the growing season. The N content of soil leachates below the rooting zone was generally lower beneath than outside the shrub canopy, suggesting that the shrub conserves N that is otherwise lost through leaching. Piliostigma reticulatum increased particulate organic matter, indicating that this shrub improved soil quality. These results suggest that P. reticulatum, under nonthermal management and a higher density than typically found in farmers’ fields, has ecological benefits with improved soils and reduced loss of N, which has implications throughout the Sahel.

show abstract

“…It is well adapted for growing in soils that are too sandy, too dry, and too infertile for other grain crops such as maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Stoskopf, 1985). Unfortunately millet in is not being produced at a rate high enough to support the general population, as Senegal remains a net importer of food (FAOSTAT, 2013). According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Senegal yielded a yearly average of 770 kg ha -1 of grain over the past 20 yr, compared to a West African average of 662 kg ha -1 and an Indian average of 898 kg ha -1 (FAOSTAT, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Senegal yielded a yearly average of 770 kg ha -1 of grain over the past 20 yr, compared to a West African average of 662 kg ha -1 and an Indian average of 898 kg ha -1 (FAOSTAT, 2013). More importantly, Senegal's pearl millet yield average has hardly improved since the 1970s while other crops such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) have all experienced yield increases (FAOSTAT, 2013 In Senegal, pearl millet is considered a low-value crop grown for household consumption, and therefore does not receive the inputs (when available) that might be otherwise invested into cash-crops such as peanut or vegetables. There is a need to boost millet yields using means that are affordable and accessible to the average smallholder farmer of Senegal's central millet-peanut basin.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Intercropping (Living Cover) and Mulching (Desiccated Cover) Practices for Increasing Millet Yields in Senegal

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Located within the Sahel region, Senegal faces several agricultural production challenges. Limited rainfall, poor soil fertility, and insuffi cient agronomic inputs all contribute to low pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] yields. Th is study was initiated to assess the potential for increasing millet yields through intercropping (living cover) and mulching (desiccated cover) practices. During the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, pearl millet was intercropped with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], or grown under mulch (neem [Azadirachta indica] leaves applied at 2 t ha-1). Field trials were conducted at two sites within Senegal's central milletpeanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) basin, in Bambey (14°41¢38² N, 16°28¢12² W) and Th iés (14°45¢45² N, 16°53¢14² W). Soil moisture and plant N (based on the normalized diff erence vegetation index [NDVI]) were measured in addition to yield. When intercropped with a legume, millet grain yields increased up to 55% compared to millet alone. Th e combined grain yields under intercropping (millet + legume) were always higher than yields of millet alone, up to 67% in Bambey. Mulching increased soil moisture up to 14%, with yield increases of up to 70% over millet with no mulch. Plant N increased in both intercropped and mulched millet, with NDVI increases up to 21% with mulch and 16% when grown with a legume (prior to fl owering). Th ese yield increases were achieved using resources that are available and aff ordable to small-scale producers in the region (seeds and mulch), and did not require the addition of fertilizer inputs.

show abstract

Pearl millet-based intercropping systems in the semiarid areas of Senegal

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub‐Based Farming System of the Sahel

Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub (Guiera senegalensis)–Based Farming System of the Sahel

Evaluating Intercropping (Living Cover) and Mulching (Desiccated Cover) Practices for Increasing Millet Yields in Senegal

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About