Influence of Microdose of Mineral Fertilizer and Organic Manure on the Production of Groundnuts in Southern Benin
K. Sabaï *
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), 01 PB 884 Cotonou, Bénin.
E. L. Sossa
Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Plant Production, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin.
N. F. Anago
Laboratory of Soil Science, School of Plant Production, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin.
P. G. Tovihoudji
Laboratory of Hydraulics and Environmental Modeling (HydroModE-Lab), Faculté d’Agronomie, Université de Parakou, 03 BP: 351 Université, Parakou, Benin.
T. O. Y. Chabi
Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université Polytechnique Internationale Obiang N’guema Mbasogo, 01 BP 8133 Cotonou, Benin.
F. G. H. Kiki
Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université Polytechnique Internationale Obiang N’guema Mbasogo, 01 BP 8133 Cotonou, Benin.
J. F. de-Souza
Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université Polytechnique Internationale Obiang N’guema Mbasogo, 01 BP 8133 Cotonou, Benin.
C. E. Agbangba
Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Applied Biology Research and Study, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, Benin and Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 04 BP 1525, Cotonou, Benin.
B. A. Sinsin
Laboratoire d’Ecologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Bénin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The use of mineral fertilizers improves crop production and soil productivity. However, its access remains limited to smallholder farmers. This study aim to assess the influence of microdose of mineral fertilizer and organic manure on the production of groundnuts. Field experience was carried out using Fischer design with five treatments and five replications: T control (Without organic matter and fertilizer); T0 recommended dose of mineral fertilizer (103.77 kg/ha or 0.93 g/poquet 15 days after sowing); T1 recommended dose of mineral fertilizer and organic matter (0.5 kg/m²); T2 microdose of mineral fertilizer (0.57 g NPKSB [14-23-14-5-1] 15 days after sowing); T3 microdose of mineral fertilizer and organic matter (0.5 kg/m²). Linear mixed-effect models were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the microdose of mineral fertilizer and / or organic manure had a significant effect on yield parameters such as aboveground biomass (fresh or dry), the number of nodules and the weight of the groundnuts pods (Prob < 0.05). The treatment T2 (microdose of mineral fertilizer) increased grain yields (8.1±1.5 g/plant) compared to other treatments. Thus, the microdose of mineral fertilizer is economically more profitable than the recommended dose.
Keywords: Microdose, mineral fertilizer, organic manure, groundnut.