Improving Productivity of Sorghum Using Principles of Agroecological Intensification in West Africa

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P.V. Vara PrasadKansas State UniversityE-mail: vara@ksu.edu

J.B. Naab; G.Y. Mahama; R.L. Kanton; (SARI, Ghana)

M. Doumbia; A. Maiga(IER, Mali)

H. Traore; A. Barro(INERA, Burkina)

S. Serifi; S. Souley(INRA, Niger)DO N

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Presentation: Outline

1. West Africa Region: Countries, Poverty, Climate, Sorghum Yields

2. Global Yield Gaps and Post Harvest Losses

3. Agroecological / Sustainable Intensification: Concepts / Components

4. Selected Examples of Land, Soil, Crop, Water, and NutrientManagement Systems – Results

5. Conclusions

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West Africa: Region – Countries – Poverty

Percentage of Population <US $2Countries

Wood et al. 2010

Most of population in West Africa is below poverty line and primarily dependent on agriculture for livelihood.DO N

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West Africa: Climate

Hijmans et al. 2005

There is a large variability from north to south for rainfall (<50 mm to >3000 mm) and maximum temperature (>40 to ~30°C).

Most of the region is warm and hot > 35°C.

Annual Maximum TemperaturesAnnual Average Precipitation

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West Africa: Sorghum Productivity and Area

Productivity of grain sorghum is very low < 1 t/ha in most of the region. West Africa is the region with largest sorghum acreage.

Sorghum Harvest Area DensitySorghum Grain Yields

Jalloh et al. 2013 (IFPRI)DO NOT C

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Crop Productivity: Attainable vs. Actual (Yield Gap)

Less than 30% of attainable yields in Africa (large yield gap).Thus, opportunities exists for improving yields.

Example:

Attainable: 6 tonnesActual: 4 tonnesGap = 2 tonnes

Mueller et al. 2012. Nature 490: 254-257

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Annual Global Food Loss / Waste: ~30% (1.3 B tons; $ 1 Trillion)

FAO and UNEP (2011)DO N

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Ecological / Agroecological / Sustainable – Intensification

Ecological Intensification:

Intensification of production systems of increasing food production while minimizing negative effects on the environment (Cassman, 1999)

Agro-Ecological Intensification:

A set of improved input, implements, and practices that produce more output per unit area of input whereby the use efficiency of those inputs is maximized (Vanlauew et al. 2013)

Sustainable Intensification:

Producing more outputs from same area of land while reducing negative environmental impacts and increasing contributions to natural capital and flow of environmental services (Pretty et al. 2011). Substantial growth of yields while protecting or even regenerating natural resources (Pretty et al. 1997; Pretty, 1996).

Wezel et al. 2015. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 35: 1283-1295 DO N

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Sustainable Intensification: Components

Socio-Economic Intensification

- Developing markets- Building social capital- Sustainable livelihood- Understanding barriers- Enabling environment

Ecological Intensification

- Cropping (farming) systems- Improved soil & water management- Integrated nutrient management- Diversified systems- Efficient agricultural practices- Integrated pest management

Genetic Intensification

- Higher yield - Resilient to pest & diseases- Resilient to climate change- Improving nutrition- Medicinal value

o Increasing food production from existing farmland while minimizing negativeimpacts on environment and natural resources.

o Takes a holistic approach and addresses all components. Others aspects alsoinclude postharvest losses and food waste; changes in consumer preferences.DO N

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Selected Examples: Our Research and Literature

o Soil/Land Management Systems: Tillage vs. Minimum Tillage or No Tillage

o Cropping Systems: Sole Cropping vs. Rotations / Intercropping / Mixed

o Water Management Systems: Flat Bed vs. Tied Ridges / Contour Ridges

o Nutrient Management Systems: Inorganic; Balanced Nutrients; Integrated Soil Fertility Management (Manure; Compost; Residues; Legumes)

o Soil, Water, Nutrient Management Systems: Zai; Zai + Microdose; + Compost + Nutrients

o Soil / Water Management Systems: Stone Lines; Grass StripsDO NOT C

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Soil/Land Management Systems: Minimum Tillage

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0

500

1000

1500

2000

Soil/Land Management System: Tillage

Zero / minimum tillage had slightly lower yields (under low input) or higher yields (optimal input) conditions. Weed control (herbicide quality and training) is critical.

Considering labor and fuel costs minimum could be economical/beneficial.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Con

vent

iona

l Ti

llage

Zer

o Ti

llage

Soil/Land Management SystemSource: J.B. Naab / G. Mahama

West Africa: Ghana (n = 3)

Low Input Level (N and P) Optimum / High Input Level (N and P)

Con

vent

iona

l Till

age

Zer

o Ti

llage

Soil/Land Management System

−12%

+20%

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Soil/Land Management System: Tillage and Manure

Zero tillage with or without mulch increased grain yields (about 10%) compared to conventional tillage. Addition of poultry manure significantly

increased grain yields (additional 25%).

0

10

20

30

40

50+34%

+9%+11%

% G

rain

Yie

ld In

crea

se O

ver C

ontro

l

Zero Tillage with Mulch

Zero Tillage + Poultry Manure

Zero Tillage without Mulch

Zero Tillage; No Mulch + Poultry Manure

Soil/Land Management System

Agbede and Ojeniyi, 2009, Soil & Tillage Research 104: 74-81

West Africa: Nigeria (n = 6; Experiments)

Control: Ploughing +37%

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Crop Management Systems: Crop Rotations and Intercropping

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0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

+63%

Cereal legume rotation or intercropping significantly increased grain yields compared to sole continuous cropping of sorghum.

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Cropping System

Con

tinuo

us

Sorg

hum

Sorg

hum

afte

r a le

gum

e

West Africa: Ghana (Cowpea); n=2

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Cropping System: Rotation / Intercropping

Cow

pea

–So

rghu

mR

otat

ion

Cow

pea

+ So

rghu

mIn

terc

ropp

ing

Source: J.B. Naab / G. Mahama

+100%

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0

400

800

1200

1600

Sorghum rotations with grain legumes slightly improved grain yields. Responses varied based on the soil conditions.

Sorg

hum

Gai

n Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Cropping System

Con

tinuo

us S

orgh

um

Franke et al. 2017, Agric. Ecosystem Environ. So

rghu

m –

Legu

mes

West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger (n=25 experiments)Common Grain Legumes (Cowpea and Groundnut)

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Cropping System: Rotation (Grain Legumes)

+12%

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Legume (e.g. cowpea, sesbania, dolichos) rotation and residue management significantly improved grain yield of sorghum.

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Crop Rotation and Residue Management0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Kouyate et al. 2000; Plant and Soil 225:141-151.

West Africa: Mali, n= 2 years

Sorg

hum

/ So

rghu

m:

+ R

esid

ue L

eft

Sorg

hum

/ So

rghu

m:

No

Res

idue

Cow

pea

/ Sor

ghum

Rot

atio

n:

No

Res

idue

Sesb

ania

/ Sor

ghum

Rot

atio

n:

+ Se

sban

iaR

esid

ue

Dol

icho

s/ S

orgh

um R

otat

ion:

+ D

olic

hos

Res

idue

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Cropping System: Rotation and Residue

+76%

+45%

+81%

Continuous - Sorghum

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Water Management Systems: Tied Ridges; and Contour Ridges

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Tied ridges significantly increased grain yield of sorghum. Primary benefits include water harvesting and infiltration.

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Water Management System

0

600

1200

1800

2400

3000

Flat Tied Ridges

West Africa: Niger (loamy/sand soil), n = 3

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Water Management System: Tied Ridges

Source: S. Souley / S. Sirifi

+192%

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Tied ridges were more effective and produced 10% higher yields than traditional ridges.

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Water Management System

0

400

800

1200

Ridge Tied ridge

Kouyate et al. 2000; Plant and Soil 225:141-151.

West Africa: Mali (loamy sand soil), n= 2 years

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Water Management System: Tied Ridges

+10%

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Contour ridges increased sorghum grain yields due to improved water and soil conservation.

Traore et al. 2017, Agric. & Food Secur. 6:11

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

2012 2013 2014

Control Contour Ridges

+ 12%

+43%

+39%

a a b

a b

a

West Africa: Mali (n = 3 years)

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

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Water Management System: Contour Ridges

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Nutrient Management Systems: Microdose; Composting; and Nutrients

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Microdose fertilizer increased grain yields over spread of lower recommended fertilizer rate. Additional P further enhanced grain yields.

181

236

379

0

100

200

300

400

500%

Gra

in Y

ield

Incr

ease

Ove

r Con

trol

Control : No Fertilizer

Microdose: 4 g hill-1

(19 kg N, P and K ha-1)Low Reccommended Dose:

11 kg N, P, K ha-1 + 23 kg N ha-1 as Urea

@ 45 DAS

Microdose + Low Recommended Dose +

20 kg P ha-1 as TSP at 45 DAS

Pale et al. 2009; S. Afr. J. Plant Soil 26: 91-97

West Africa : Burkina Faso, n= 3 years

Nutrient Management System

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Nutrient Management Systems: Microdose + Nutrients

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Application of inorganic N up to 90 kg per ha increased yields. Further increase lowered the benefits probably due to soil acidity.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Inorganic Fertilizer Rate (kg ha-1)

Var

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Nutrient Management Systems: Fertilizer (Nitrogen)

0 30 60 90 120Source: J.B. Naab / G. Mahama

+53% +60%

+150%

+65%

West Africa: Ghana

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0

400

800

1200

1600

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Inorganic Fertilizer Rate (kg ha-1)

Var

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Nutrient Management Systems: Fertilizer (Phosphorus)

0 40 N 26 P 40 N + 26 P

Source: J.B. Naab / G. Mahama

Application of P alone significantly increased yields. These benefits were greater than combined doses of N and P.

+18%

+72%

+55%

West Africa: Ghana

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Improved nutrient management significantly increased sorghum yield.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175

All practiceNP

NP

Microdose

LegumeManure

Org. matt. amendmentMixed amendment

(165)(20)

(5)(43)

(18)(36)

(13)(13)

(12)

Percent Change in Yield Over No Nutrients Input

Man

agem

ent C

ateg

ory

Source: Tonitto and Ricker-Gilbert, 2016. Agron. Sustain., Dev. 36:10

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Nutrient Management Systems: Summary

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Soil and Water Conservation: Stone Lines and Grass Strips

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Water and soil conservation techniques improved grain yield of sorghum. Greater responses in improved genotypes.

Source: H. Traore

0

700

1400

2100

2800

3500

Con

trol

West Africa: Burkina Faso

Sorg

hum

Gra

in Y

ield

(kg

ha-1

)

Soil Conservation System

Var

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Ston

e L

ines

Gra

ss S

trip

s

Con

trol

Ston

e L

ines

Gra

ss S

trip

s

Local Genotype Improved Genotype

Soil and Water Management: Stones and Grass Strips

+13% +21%

+13% +8%

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Zai Pits along with additional nutrient management (compost and/or inorganic fertilizer) significantly increased sorghum yield.

Source: Zougmore et al. 2014, Agric. & Food Secur. 3 :16

28

63

80

0

25

50

75

100

94Z

aiPi

ts

Pits

+ N

eem

Lea

ves

Pits

+ C

ompo

st

Pits

+ M

iner

al F

ertil

izer

Pits

+ C

ompo

st +

Min

eral

Fer

tiliz

er

West Africa: Mali (n = 2 years)

Control : No pits

% G

rain

Yie

ld In

crea

se O

ver C

ontro

l

Soil, Nutrient and Water Management System

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System: Zai Pits (Land + Soil + Water + Nutrients)

93

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Use of contour ridging (ACN), nutrient management and crop residue increased crop yields (>40%) and soil carbon (30 to 80%).

Tillage practice did not influence yield and soil carbon.

Improved Management System: Summary (~3 to 5 yrs)

M. Doumbia, IER, Mali

West Africa: Mali

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Conclusions

o Large yield gaps (attainable – actual yields) exists for most of graincrops including sorghum.

o Major cause is lack of appropriate management practices (improvedinputs; poor soil health; harvest and postharvest losses).

o Several opportunities exists for use of improved and appropriate land,soil, crop, water and nutrient management systems to significantlyincreased yields.

o Understanding barriers of adoption of innovations and creating enablingenvironment for adoption and scaling of innovation is important.

o Participatory approaches, understanding social networks, decisionmaking process and building social capital will be critical.

o Requires transdisciplinary approaches, capacity building of completevalue chain, human resources and institutions.DO N

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Acknowledgements

Ghana Burkina Faso

Niger

Mali

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Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification (SIIL)

P.V. Vara Prasad

Director and Distinguished Professor

E-mail: vara@ksu.edu

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