Prosopis africana (Guill., Perrot et Rich.) Taub and Entada africana (Guill. et Perrot.) leaf litter decomposition and impact of biomass transfer on millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) growth and development on station in Niger

Abstract

A study on leaf litter decomposition of Prosopis africana and Entadaafricana and impact of biomass transfer on millet growth was carried outat N'Dounga Forestry Research Station in Niger. The objective of thestudy was to assess the potentials of leaf biomass transfer anddecomposition of the two species on soil fertility and growth anddevelopment of millet in an and environment. Leaf biomass of the twospecies was obtained from trees of 10 years of age. Decomposition wasmonitored using litterbag method. Leaf biomass was spread and thenburied on millet plots in order to monitor the impact on millet growthand development. The experimental design was a factorial with 2 factors(species at 2 levels and fertilisation (F) at 4 levels: F1 = control, F2= 1.5 t ha(-1), F3 = 2.5 t ha(-1), F4 = 5 t ha(-1)) in a randomizedblock design with 3 replications.The results showed that P. africana leaf litter decomposed more rapidlythan that of E. africana. In 14 weeks, 49% of P africana leaf litterwas decomposed as against 25% for E. africana. The speed of mobility ofmineral nutrients of the two species leaf litter was Mg > N > Ca > P, Kfor P africana with respectively 16, 18, 5 8, 10 and 21% for thesesmineral elements in 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks; Mg > K > Na > N, P for E.africana with respectively 22, 3, 49, 32 and 35% of mineral elements in2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks.The mineral nutrients N, P, K, Mg, Na in the soil after decomposition onmillet plots were more important at 10-30cm soil depth with respectively0.008; 1.75; 0.04; 0.31 and 0.04 compared to the situation beforeapplying leaf biomass with 0:01; 3.6; 0.03; 0.93 and 0.03.P. africana leaf biomass application gave better millet growth in height(61 +/- 52.53 cm) during 4 weeks compared to E. africana leaf biomass(40.59 +/- 30.81 cm) against 37.45 +/- 25.99 cm for control. For the twotree species, the quantity of 2.5t ha(-1) of leaf biomass gave bettermillet growth in height whereas, the quantity of 1.5t ha(-1) gave betterresponse in number of stalks with time. Important stalks dry biomass of167 t/ha was obtained when 1.5 and 2.5t/ha of P.africana leaf biomasswas applied. This quantity is 3 times than that of control.