Farmers' Perception of Calotropis procera on the Soil and Productivity of Off-Season Sorghum (Sorghum durra) in Magoumai, Gawar and Laf, Far North Cameroon

Abstract

The present study focuses on farmers' perception of Calotropis procera on the productivity of off-season sorghum in Magoumaï, Gawar and Laf (Far North Cameroon). The main objective of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of C. procera on the soil, growth, and yield of off-season sorghum. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out in three villages, where 345 individuals were randomly selected. The data collected were analyzed in terms of the average percentage of respondents reporting the impact of C. procera on soil and off-season sorghum productivity. This analysis showed that C. procera impacts the soil: 57.67 ± 1.52% and 39.67 ± 4.35% respectively of respondents felt that C. procera absorbs soil moisture and impoverishes it. For off-season sorghum development stages, C. procera has an influence on plant growth, with an average percentage of 95 ± 3.05%. For the crop yield component of off-season sorghum, panicle weight averaged 47 ± 4.58%. This work shows the impact of C. procera on the soil. Given the impact of C. procera on the soil and the productivity of off-season sorghum, it would be important to try to slow down the effect of C. procera colonization in off-season sorghum fields.