Why is the spatial variability of millet yield high at farm level in the Sahel? Implications for research and development

• Published in: Arid land research and management Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 351 - 374
• Main Authors: Boubou Diallo, Mariama, Akponikpè, P. B. Irénikatché, Abasse, Tougiani, Fatondji, Dougbédji, Agbossou, Euloge K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 02-10-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Abiotic factors; Agricultural management; Agricultural technology; Agronomy; Aluminium; Aluminum; Availability; Biotic factors; Chemical properties; Chemicophysical properties; Economic conditions; Economics; Experimental research; Fertility; Heterogeneity; High spatial variability; Infiltration rate; Laboratory experimentation; Land use; Low level; Millet; modeling; Organic carbon; Organic chemistry; Organic phosphorus; pearl millet; Pests; pH effects; Phosphorus; Physical properties; Precision farming; Quantitative analysis; R&D; Rain; Rainfall; Research & development; Retention capacity; Sahel; Saturation; Socioeconomic aspects; Soil; Soil chemistry; Soil conditions; Soil erosion; Soil fertility; Soil improvement; soil physical and chemical properties; Soil physical properties; Soil properties; Soil structure; Soils; Spatial variations; Surface layers; Variability; Water availability; Wind erosion; yield variability; Yields
• ISSN: 1532-4982; 1532-4990
• DOI: 10.1080/15324982.2019.1625984

Millet yields are highly variable even within the same farm in the Sahel. A conceptual model of the phenomenon was designed and quantitative analysis of key relationships was conducted based on the available published studies. We found that the high spatial variability of millet yield is due to two main edaphic factors: soil fertility properties and water availability. It is still unknown whether the spatial variability of the two main factors is inherent to Sahelian soils. However, some biotic and abiotic factors induce and even maintain the variability of the main factors. The biotic factors include the presence of trees, termite's activity, fertility management practices, pests, and diseases. Abiotic factors include rainfall (amount, intensity, and distribution) and wind erosion. The major soil chemical properties which strongly influence spatial yield variability include organic carbon, pH, aluminum saturation, and available phosphorus. Millet yield was positively and strongly correlated with P (r
2
=0.80, p < 0.001), moderately with pH (r
2
=0.30, p < 0.001), but strongly and negatively with the logarithm of aluminum saturation (r
2
=0.54, p < 0.001).
Water availability is affected mainly by the soil physical properties, which strongly impact millet yield variability through infiltration rate and water retention capacity. The underlying properties are soil structure, texture, and soil surface conditions. The inadequate consideration of soil heterogeneity could also explain the low level of farmer adoption of the recommendations regarding soil fertility improvement based on experimental research or decision support. This situation calls for improved precision agriculture technologies that are compatible with Sahelian farmers' socio-economic conditions.