Effects of microdose fertilization on sanio millet (pennisetum glaucum (l.) r. br) in low casamance (southern senegal)

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the agronomic performance of microdose fertilization on sanio millet. Specifically, the effect of microdosing on growth and production parameters of sanio millet was tested. To do this, a complete randomized block trial was set up with four blocks, each with six treatments: control (T0); 2) farm practice (T1): 10 t. ha-1 of manure; 3) microdose (T2), 10 t. ha-1 + 3 g NPK (15-15-15) + 2 g urea per plant. The NPK and urea were applied in a 5 cm deep hole about 7 cm from the plant; 4) research recommendation (T3), 10 t. ha-1 of manure + 9.6 g NPK (15-15-15) + 6.4 g urea per plant; 5) (T4): 10 t. ha-1 of manure + 75% of T3 fertilizer rate; 6) 10 t. ha-1 of manure + 50% of T3 fertilizer rate. This study demonstrated the effect of organic fertilization and the effect of organo-mineral fertilization on the growth and production parameters of Sanio millet. The microdose was effective on growth parameters compared to the farmer’s traditional practice. However, the differences in straw biomass, the number of ears, and the weight of ears were not significant between the microdose and the farmer’s traditional practice. The Straw biomass and the number of ears were significantly higher on T3 compared to the microdose. Given the results, it would be interesting to repeat this study at the station and at the same time in the farmers’ field to draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding the microdose fertilization technique.