Effects of tillage and organo-mineral fertilization on yields of pearl millet in the Soudano-sahelian zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Pearl millet is the second important cereal crop cultivated in Burkina Faso after sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. In recent years, farmers failed to achieve good yields because of low productivity resulting from soil poverty and climatic risks. This study was carried out at Saria Research Station in 2018 and 2019 and aimed at finding the best combination of water management techniques and fertilizers to optimize pearl millet yields. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements of treatments and three replications. The main plot was tillage method with four levels and the sub-plot was fertilization with eight levels consisting of mineral fertilizers with or without compost. Results showed that the addition of compost to mineral fertilizers resulted in yield increases from 338 to 502 kg ha-1 for grain and 657 to 947 kg ha-1 for stover. The use of plough increased grain yield from 266 to 635 kg ha-1 and stover from 381 to 601 kg ha-1. These results indicate that the use of compost plus mineral fertilizers and plough that optimize pearl millet yields can be recommended for pearl millet production in the Sudano-sahelian zone of Burkina Faso.