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Evaluating Intercropping (Living Cover) and Mulching (Desiccated Cover) Practices for Increasing Millet Yields in Senegal
Author(s) -
Trail Patrick,
Abaye Ozzie,
Thomason Wade E.,
Thompson Thomas L.,
Gueye Fatou,
Diedhiou Ibrahima,
Diatta Michel B.,
Faye Abdoulaye
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2015.0422
Subject(s) - agronomy , intercropping , mulch , pennisetum , vigna , cover crop , legume , biology
Located within the Sahel region, Senegal faces several agricultural production challenges. Limited rainfall, poor soil fertility, and insufficient agronomic inputs all contribute to low pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] yields. This study was initiated to assess the potential for increasing millet yields through intercropping (living cover) and mulching (desiccated cover) practices. During the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, pearl millet was intercropped with cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], mungbean [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], or grown under mulch (neem [ Azadirachta indica ] leaves applied at 2 t ha −1 ). Field trials were conducted at two sites within Senegal's central millet–peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) basin, in Bambey (14°41′38″ N, 16°28′12″ W) and Thiés (14°45′45″ N, 16°53′14″ W). Soil moisture and plant N (based on the normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]) were measured in addition to yield. When intercropped with a legume, millet grain yields increased up to 55% compared to millet alone. The combined grain yields under intercropping (millet + legume) were always higher than yields of millet alone, up to 67% in Bambey. Mulching increased soil moisture up to 14%, with yield increases of up to 70% over millet with no mulch. Plant N increased in both intercropped and mulched millet, with NDVI increases up to 21% with mulch and 16% when grown with a legume (prior to flowering). These yield increases were achieved using resources that are available and affordable to small‐scale producers in the region (seeds and mulch), and did not require the addition of fertilizer inputs. Core Ideas Intercropping millet with cowpea or mungbean was found to increase millet grain yield compared to millet that was grown alone. Yield increases as high as 55% were recorded. Increasing ground cover through mulching of millet was found to significantly increase soil moisture compared to millet grown with no additional ground cover. Soil moisture increased up to 14% in mulched soils compared to unmulched soils. Intercropping millet with a legume (cowpea or mungbean) always resulted in a higher combined yield than growing either the millet or the legume by itself.