ISSN 2375-1134
African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 234-246, November, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effects of crop rotation and the restitution of dry crop residues on pearl millet yield in mono-cropping system
Daouda Hama Rafini1*, Ibrahim Seyni Doiri2, Mahamadou brigi Wanke3 and Hamani Ali Tandjan1
1ICRISAT Niamey, BP12404, Niamey, Niger.
2Ecole Normale Supérieure, University Adbou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
3University Adbou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 28 October, 2016
Abstract
Studies on combined effects of 4 legume crops residues and rock phosphate application on pearl millet yield were undertaken on sandy acid soil field from 2012 to 2015 at ICRISAT Sahelian center (ISC)-Sadore, Niger. The objective of the experiment was to assess the best combination of legume species x rate of crop residue x rock phosphate doses that can sustainably improve pearl millet yield in cereal monoculture system with a low input cost and minimum soil tillage. Over 3 years, the residual effect of previous legume crop residue significantly improved not only the grain yield (P<0.001) and dry residue yields (P<0.001) but also the growth parameters of pearl millet than millet mono-cropping. Treatments with or without natural rock phosphate did not show any statistical differences on millet yield while adding a micro dose of urea improved significantly the yield (P<0.001). The interaction effects of preceding legume crops in rotation with millet and restitution of dry residue on the earlier mentioned parameters across 3 years mono-cropping were studied in this experiment.
Key words: Millet, legume, cropping system, soil fertility.