Use of the neem seed cake (Azadirachta indica) and the micro-dose of mineral fertilizers for the production of maize in the Sud-Soudanian zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

In Burkina Faso, several sources of organic matter were studied but very few were interested in the use of neem seed cake (Azadirachta indica). A completely randomized Fisher block device of 7 treatments was set up during the wet seasons of 2017 and 2018. Treatments are T0: Without fertilizer; T1: NPK + urea 200 kg/ha + 100 kg/ha (common dose); T2: (Micro-dose = MD) NPK 4 g/pocket + urea 2 g/pocket (recommended dose); T3: TDN (2 t/ha) + (MD) NPK 4 g/pocket + urea 2 g/pocket,; T4: TDN (2 t/ha) + (MD) NPK 2 g/pocket + urea 2 g/pocket; T5: TDN (4 t/ha) + (MD) NPK 4 g/pocket + urea 2 g/pocket; T6: TDN (4 t/ha) + (MD) NPK 2 g/pocket + urea 2 g/pocket. The results indicate significant levels of organic matter and nutrients in TDN. The best yields of maize are obtained with the treatments that received TDN T5 and T6 with respectively 3.01 t/ha and 2.68 t/ha in maize grains and 3.73 t/ha and 3.58 t/ha respectively of biomass. TDN associated with mineral fertilizers improves maize productivity in Burkina Faso.