| Peer-Reviewed

Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa

Received: 23 December 2014     Accepted: 6 January 2015     Published: 14 January 2015
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Enhanced livelihoods for populations, especially smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa may be achieved through improved cropping systems. We assessed the economic returns from maize grain yield and the effects of three cropping systems on soil properties in an eight-year study segmented in cycles of two years each: continuous maize (Zea mays L.), maize-mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis), and maize-pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). The rainfall pattern in the study region allows for two growing seasons per year, leading to four growing seasons per cycle. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer rates were imposed on maize in each system and maize grain yields and associated cash values as well as soil properties were measured. Seeding mucuna and pigeon pea crops into maize crop in the first year did not result in maize grain yield increases from N and P fertilizers in the subsequent year. Continuous maize system increased mean maize grain yields by 6.2 to 60.3% in the fallow year of the 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 cycles and by 5.1 to 8.2% on a cycle basis in the 2002-2003 cycles. For the remaining periods of the study, mucuna and pigeon pea based maize cropping increased grain yields by 28.6 to 47.6%, 22 to 260% and 28.3 to 136.1% in fallow year, non-fallow years and on a cycle basis, respectively, compared to yields under continuous maize. On a cycle basis, economic returns for maize-mucuna and maize-pigeon pea based systems were 105.1 and 66.5%, respectively, higher than that for continuous maize. The mucuna and pigeon pea based systems increased the initial soil total carbon (C) content by 55 and 69%, respectively, resulted in increases of 110 to117%, 33 to 63%, 29%, and 16-17% for exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and total cation exchange capacity (CEC), respectively, and enhanced water stable macroaggregates stability, compared to continuous maize. Maize mucuna and pigeon pea-based maize cropping systems with mucuna and pigeon crops in alternate years should be advised towards sustaining enhanced profitability and improved soil physical and chemical properties.

Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25
Page(s) 321-329
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Maize, Mucuna, Pigeon Pea, Fertilizer, Soil Properties, Profitability

References
[1] Henao S, Baanante C. Agricultural production and soil nutrient mining in Africa: Implication for resource conservation and policy development. IFDC, Muscle shoals, AL 35662, USA, 75p, 2006.
[2] Liniger HP, Mekdaschi Studer R, Hauert C, Gurtner M. La pratique de la gestion durable des terres. Directives et bonnes pratiques en Afrique subsaharienne. TerrAfrica, Panorama mondial des approches et technologies de conservation (WOCAT) et Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO). Rome, Italie, 243p, 2011.
[3] Kihara J, Fatondji D, Jones JW, Hoogenboom G, Tabo R, Bationo A. Improving Soil Fertility Recommendations in Africa using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT). VIII, 187, 2012.
[4] IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center). Mainstreaming pro-poor fertilizer access and innovative practices in West Africa. IFAD Technical Assistance Grant No. 1174 report. Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, 2013.
[5] IFPRI. Reaching Sustainable Food Security for All by 2020. PDF file and Powerpoint presentation available at www.ifpri.org/ 2020 vision. Rome, 2002.
[6] Bationo A, Hartemink A, Lungu O, Naimi M, Okoth P, Smaling E, Thiombiano L, Waswa B. Knowing the African Soils to Improve Fertilizer Recommendations. P 19-42. VIII, 187p, 2012.
[7] IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center). Development and Dissemination of Sustainable Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices for Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Technical Bulletin IFDC – T-71. Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, 2009.
[8] Detchinli KS. Analyses multidimensionnelles des effets de trois systèmes culturaux sur le rendement du maïs (Zea mays L.) et le sol : bilan d’une expérimentation sur sols ferralitiques au Togo méridional. Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies, Sciences des Agroressources et Génie de l’Environnement, option : Sciences des Agroressources, février 2013. Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie de l’Université de Lomé, Togo. 41p.
[9] SARI. Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) annual Report for 2005, Nyakpala, Ghana.105p, 2005.
[10] Sanchez PA, Jawa BBA. Soil fertility replenishment takes off in East and Southern Africa. p. 23-45. In B. Vanlauwe et al. (ed.). Integrated plant nutrient management in Sub-Saharan Africa: from concept to practice. CABI, Wallingford, UK, 2002.
[11] Place F, Christopher B, Barett H, de Freeman JA, Ramisch J, Vaulauwe B. Prospect for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems. Nairobi, Kenya, 24 p, 2003.
[12] Kombiok JM, Buah JSS, Sogbedji JM. Enhancing Soil Fertility for Cereal Crop Production Through Biological Practices and the Integration of Organic and In-Organic Fertilizers in Northern Savanna Zone of Ghana. In: Soil Fertility. R. Issaka (ed). INTECH free online publication, Croatia, pp 3-31, 2012.
[13] Adjei-Nsiah S, Kuyper TW, Leeuwis C, Abekoe MK, Giller KE. Evaluating sustainable and profitable cropping sequences with cassava and four legume crops: effects on soil fertility and maize yields in the forest/savannah transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana. Field Crop Res. 103, 87–97, 2007.
[14] Saragoni H, Olivier R, Poss R. Dynamique et lixiviation des éléments minéraux. Agron. Trop. 45 : 259-273, 1991.
[15] Louette D. Synthese des travaux de recherche sur la fertilité des terres de barre au Bénin et au Togo. CIRAD-DSA, 34p. Montpellier, France, 1988.
[16] Tossah BK. Influence of soil properties and organic inputs on phosphorus cycling in herbaceous legume-based cropping systems in the West African derived savanna. Ph.D. Thesis No. 428, K.U. Leuven, Belgium, 2000.
[17] Sogbedji JM. Maize nitrogen utilization and nitrate leaching modeling in Togo and New York. Ph.D. Thesis, Cornell University, New York, USA, 1999.
[18] van Es HM, van Es CL. Spatial nature of randomization and its effect on the outcome of field experiments. Agron. J. 85: 420-428, 1993.
[19] van Es HM, Gomes C, Sellmann M, van Es CL. Spatially-balanced designs for experiments on autocorrelated fields. In: 2004 Proc. Am. Statistical Assoc., Statistics & the Environment Section [CDROM], Alexandria, VA, 2004.
[20] IITA (International Institute for Tropical Agriculture). Automated and Semi-automated Methods for soil and plant analysis. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2014.
[21] Mathieu C, Pieltain F. Analyse physique des sols : méthodes choisies. Lavoisier, Paris, 1998.
[22] Whalen, JK, Hu Q, Liu A. Compost applications increase water-stable aggrgates in conventional and no-tillage systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 67, 1842 – 1847, 2003.
[23] SAS Institute. Base SAS 9.4 Procedures Guide. SAS Institute, Cary, NC, 2014.
[24] Sogbedji JM, van Es HM, Tamelokpo FA. Optimizing N fertilizer use for maize on ferralsols in Western Africa. Revue Togolaise des Sciences. (2) 2-18, 2006.
[25] Traoré K, Bado BV, Hien V. Effet du mucuna sur la productivité du maïs et du coton. INERA, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, 1999.
[26] Galiba M, Vissoh P, Dagbenonbakin G, Fagbahon F. 1998. Réactions et craintes des paysans à la vulgarisation du pois mascate (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis). pp 55-65 In : D. Buckles, et al. (eds.) Cover crops in West Africa contributing to sustainable agriculture. IDRC, Ottawa, Canada; IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria; Sasakawa Global 2000, Cotonou, Bénin.
[27] Lamboni D. Effet de l’amélioration par le mucuna sur l’efficacité des engrais azotés et phosphatés sur le rendement en grain du maïs : Cas de l’association maïs-mucuna dans la Région Maritime. Mémoire d’Ingénieur Agronome, Université du Bénin, Lomé, Togo, 106p, 2000.
[28] Ngome, AFE, Becker M, Mtei KM. Leguminous cover crops differentially affect maize yields in three contrasting soil types of Kakamega, Western Kenya. Journal of Agricultural and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics. Vol. 112 No. 1(2011)1-10, 2011.
[29] Chabi-Olaye A, Nolte C, Schulthess F, Borgemeister C. Effects of grain legumes and cover crops on maize yield and plant damage by Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the humid forest of southern Cameroon. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 108(1) 17-28, 2005.
[30] Hulugalle NR. Effect of cover crop on soil physical and chemical properties of an alfisol in the Sudan savannah of Burkina Faso. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation. Vol. 2 (4)251-267, 2009.
[31] Adediran JA, Akande MO, Oluwatoyinbo FI. Effect of mucuna intercropped with maize on soil fertility and yield of maize. Ghana Jnl Agric. Sci. 37, 15-22, 2003.
[32] Omotayo OE, Chukwuka KS. Soil fertility restoration techniques in sub-Saharan Africa using organic resources. African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 4 (3), pp. 144-150, 2009.
[33] Taboada-Castr MM, Alves MC, Whalen J. Effect of tillage practices on aggregate size distribution in a Latossolo Vermelho (Oxisol) of Sp-Brazil. 13th International Soil Conservation Organisation Conference – Brisbane, July 2004.
[34] Ouattara K, Ouattara B, Nyberg G, Sedogo MP, Malmer A. Effects of ploughing frequency and compost on soil aggregate stability in a cotton–maize (Gossypium hirsutum-Zea mays) rotation in Burkina Faso. Soil Use and Management. 24, 19–28, 2008.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Kodjovi Sotomè Detchinli, Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji. (2015). Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2(6), 321-329. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Kodjovi Sotomè Detchinli; Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji. Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa. Am. J. Agric. For. 2015, 2(6), 321-329. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Kodjovi Sotomè Detchinli, Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji. Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa. Am J Agric For. 2015;2(6):321-329. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25,
      author = {Kodjovi Sotomè Detchinli and Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji},
      title = {Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa},
      journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
      volume = {2},
      number = {6},
      pages = {321-329},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20140206.25},
      abstract = {Enhanced livelihoods for populations, especially smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa may be achieved through improved cropping systems. We assessed the economic returns from maize grain yield and the effects of three cropping systems on soil properties in an eight-year study segmented in cycles of two years each: continuous maize (Zea mays L.), maize-mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis), and maize-pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). The rainfall pattern in the study region allows for two growing seasons per year, leading to four growing seasons per cycle. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer rates were imposed on maize in each system and maize grain yields and associated cash values as well as soil properties were measured. Seeding mucuna and pigeon pea crops into maize crop in the first year did not result in maize grain yield increases from N and P fertilizers in the subsequent year. Continuous maize system increased mean maize grain yields by 6.2 to 60.3% in the fallow year of the 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 cycles and by 5.1 to 8.2% on a cycle basis in the 2002-2003 cycles. For the remaining periods of the study, mucuna and pigeon pea based maize cropping increased grain yields by 28.6 to 47.6%, 22 to 260% and 28.3 to 136.1% in fallow year, non-fallow years and on a cycle basis, respectively, compared to yields under continuous maize. On a cycle basis, economic returns for maize-mucuna and maize-pigeon pea based systems were 105.1 and 66.5%, respectively, higher than that for continuous maize. The mucuna and pigeon pea based systems increased the initial soil total carbon (C) content by 55 and 69%, respectively, resulted in increases of 110 to117%, 33 to 63%, 29%, and 16-17% for exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and total cation exchange capacity (CEC), respectively, and enhanced water stable macroaggregates stability, compared to continuous maize. Maize mucuna and pigeon pea-based maize cropping systems with mucuna and pigeon crops in alternate years should be advised towards sustaining enhanced profitability and improved soil physical and chemical properties.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of the Profitability and the Effects of Three Maize-Based Cropping Systems on Soil Health in Western Africa
    AU  - Kodjovi Sotomè Detchinli
    AU  - Jean Mianikpo Sogbedji
    Y1  - 2015/01/14
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25
    T2  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    SP  - 321
    EP  - 329
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8591
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20140206.25
    AB  - Enhanced livelihoods for populations, especially smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa may be achieved through improved cropping systems. We assessed the economic returns from maize grain yield and the effects of three cropping systems on soil properties in an eight-year study segmented in cycles of two years each: continuous maize (Zea mays L.), maize-mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis), and maize-pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). The rainfall pattern in the study region allows for two growing seasons per year, leading to four growing seasons per cycle. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer rates were imposed on maize in each system and maize grain yields and associated cash values as well as soil properties were measured. Seeding mucuna and pigeon pea crops into maize crop in the first year did not result in maize grain yield increases from N and P fertilizers in the subsequent year. Continuous maize system increased mean maize grain yields by 6.2 to 60.3% in the fallow year of the 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 cycles and by 5.1 to 8.2% on a cycle basis in the 2002-2003 cycles. For the remaining periods of the study, mucuna and pigeon pea based maize cropping increased grain yields by 28.6 to 47.6%, 22 to 260% and 28.3 to 136.1% in fallow year, non-fallow years and on a cycle basis, respectively, compared to yields under continuous maize. On a cycle basis, economic returns for maize-mucuna and maize-pigeon pea based systems were 105.1 and 66.5%, respectively, higher than that for continuous maize. The mucuna and pigeon pea based systems increased the initial soil total carbon (C) content by 55 and 69%, respectively, resulted in increases of 110 to117%, 33 to 63%, 29%, and 16-17% for exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and total cation exchange capacity (CEC), respectively, and enhanced water stable macroaggregates stability, compared to continuous maize. Maize mucuna and pigeon pea-based maize cropping systems with mucuna and pigeon crops in alternate years should be advised towards sustaining enhanced profitability and improved soil physical and chemical properties.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo

  • Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo

  • Sections