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Plant leafy biomass and their manure derivatives effect on Sorghum bicolor L. yield in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali

University of Kassel, Organic Plant Production and Agroecosyst. Res. in the Tropics and Subtropics, Germany

Abstract

The Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali is a region where Sorghum bicolor L. cultivation plays a significant role for the local economy and food security. In this semi-arid environment, where farmers seldomly apply inorganic fertilisers, sorghum yield is sustained by the application of plant biomass and animal manure. However, because of competing uses, these organic fertilisers are becoming scarce. Therefore, this study aims to determine the agronomic performance of sorghum after a single application at a rate of 8 t ha^-1 of different locally available plant leafy biomass and their manure derivatives in the 1^st cropping year (2022) and without any additional amendment in the 2nd cropping year (2023). The field study was undertaken with Khaya senegalensis, Pterocarpus lucens, Ficus sycomorus and Pennisetum pedicellatum in a randomised complete block design with four replications. Average grain yield in the 1^st cropping year was 49% higher than in the 2nd cropping year. In the 1^st cropping year, P. pedicellatum leafy biomass produced the highest grain yield (1,442 kg ha^-1), which was 253% significantly higher than the lowest grain yield (409 kg ha^-1) produced from the unamended control. In the 2nd cropping year, grain yield from F. sycomorus plots were 4-times higher (p<0.05) than from control plots. The average fertiliser use efficiency over both cropping cycles was 35-84% higher in leafy biomass compared with respective manure, except for K. senegalensis. Considering the scarcity of organic manure, P. pedicellatum leafy biomass is a better fertiliser than its respective manure, whereas for the other species farmers might benefit from dual use of leafy biomass as livestock feed and the subsequent use of manure for sustainable farming in the study region.

Keywords: Agroforestry, agronomic efficiency, biomass quality, biomass transfer, smallholder agriculture

Contact Address: Siriki Fané, University of Kassel, Organic Plant Production and Agroecosyst. Res. in the Tropics and Subtropics, Steinstr. 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany, e-mail: siriki.fanemesrs.ml