Sustainable soil management for improving sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production in West Africa, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Improved sorghum management practice can provide smallholder farmers with stability in their household nutritional needs and ensure food security. This study was therefore conducted to compare the effect of the single of two organic resources and their combined use with inorganic fertilizer (IN) on soil fertility and sorghum production. It was conducted in the Northern part of Burkina Faso. The treatments consisted of two levels of IN (the normal and the half dose of NPK + urea) and two types of organic resources (simple compost SC and Piliostigma reticulatum leaves compost CP). These treatments were combined to give 6 treatments: T1: control ; T2 : SC ; T3 : CP; T4 : SC + ½ dose of IN ; T5 : CP + ½ dose of IN ; T6 : normal dose of IN. The experiment was led using a randomized complete block design in three replications. The result revealed a greater improvement of soil pH and nutrients induced by CP used alone. However, when combined with IN, it decreased significantly soil nutrients and sorghum yield components and yield. Contrary, the SC in combination with IN gave the highest improvement in yield components and yield of sorghum. The use of IN alone increased sorghum yield components and yield but it contributed to decrease soil pH and nutrients content. A combined use of inorganic and organic fertilizers could be therefore recommended for maintaining soil fertility and for a sustainable production of sorghum.