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Browsing Book Chapter by Subject "Drylands"

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    Effect of Hill Placement of Nutrients on Millet Productivity and Characteristics of Sahelian Soils of Niger: Analysis of Yield Trend After Three Years of Cropping
    (2018-04-04) Dougbedji Fatondji; Ramadjita Tabo; Tom C. Hash; Andre Bationo
    Reports from implementation of the low-input mineral fertilizer microdosing technology have shown up to 120% yield increase. However on the acidic Sahelian soils (pH 4–5 (H2O)) with low carbon content (0.2%), the question is whether applying such small dose would not lead to nutrient mining over years, which ICRISAT set three studies of 3 years each to address. Experiments 1 (2003) and 2 (2008) involved three planting densities, two pearl millet varieties and four fertility management options with removal of crop residue in experiment 1. Experiment 3 (2010) involved the combinations of 4 rates of organic and mineral fertilizers and 10 millet varieties. Both organic and mineral inputs were hill-applied. In all experiments nutrient hill placement resulted in total biomass increase in the second and third years compared to the control. After 3 years of cropping, yield decrease of −2307 kg.ha−1 was observed with the control in experiment 1 between years 1 and 3, while −1238 kg.ha−1 was observed with 6 g NPK per hill which was statistically significant. In experiment 3 yield decrease was −1516 kg.ha−1 with the control and −648 kg.ha−1 with 300 g per hill of organic manure. Soil pH decreased by 0.17 in NPK amended plots whereas it decreased by 0.29 in the others as observed in experiment 1. In all case, biomass decreased but in lower amplitude with organic manure addition.
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    Managing Water and Agroecosystems for Food Security: Drylands
    (2013-08) Elaine M. Solowey; Tilahun Amede; Alexandra Evans; Eline Boelee; Bindraban, Prem S.
    Drylands are characterized by physical water scarcity, often associated with land degradation and desertifi cation. Other factors that contribute to these problems include high population densities, unwise agricultural practices and overgrazing. However, while desert ecosystems are fragile and vulnerable and can collapse in the short term, given the right conditions and protection, these areas also have a great potential for recovery. Examples of the recovery of areas have led to the formation of counter paradigms and the emergence of a new understanding of drylands. This new understanding is founded on the recognition of the variability of these ecosystems from place to place and year to year, and of the infl uences of desert plants, animals and the agricultural practices of the people who live in drylands. This chapter defi nes both old and new paradigms, and discusses conditions that lead to non-sustainable situations and vulnerabilities. In addition, strategies are considered that can lead to proper land use and recovery.