Influence of Fertilizers Made from Natural Phosphates of Tahoua on Millet Yield

Abstract

Recently, the interest in the potential of millets has been increased to contribute to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development, particularly in regions facing adverse impact of climate change and food insecurity. The productivity of millet-cereal cropping systems is threatened by soil degradation, which necessitates the application of nutrients that promote plant growth and development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of different fertilizers—simple superphosphate (SSP), improved simple superphosphate (SSPA), and improved diammonium phosphate (DAPA)—made from Tahoua natural phosphate (PNT), as well as Tahoua natural phosphate powder, on millet yield. To determine the physicochemical parameters of the cultivated soil, it was noted that the soils studied have a silty-sandy texture and low levels of organic matter, total phosphorus, water-soluble phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity. After applying fertilizers to millet crops, the following grain and biomass yields were obtained: for grain, 520 kg/ha (PNT), 1355 kg/ha (DAPA), 1029 kg/ha (SSP), and 1589 kg/ha (SSPA); and for biomass, 2607 kg/ha (PNT), 6507 kg/ha (DAPA), 5989 kg/ha (SSP), and 7018 kg/ha (SSPA). However, the application of phosphorus-rich fertilizers showed a significant increase in millet yields. We observed that the yield was even higher with the application of the improved superphosphate fertilizer. This allows for better growth, more vigorous plants, and higher yields. It was observed that the highest yields were obtained with the application of improved superphosphate, while yields were lower with the application of natural phosphate from Tahoua. Therefore, improving the productivity of arable land for sustained and sustainable agricultural production is a major challenge in Niger.