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Organo-mineral fertilization improves soil phosphorus availability and vegetative growth but not grain yield of pearl millet under sandy acidic soils in Senegal

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Pearl millet productivity in Senegal remains constrained by low soil fertility and conventional fertilization practices. This study evaluated the effects of mineral fertilizers applied alone or in combination with compost on soil chemical properties, yield components, and agronomic indices of Thialack 2 pearl millet grown in sandy acidic soils of Middle Casamance, Senegal. A randomized complete block design was implemented with four treatments: T0 (control), T1 (NPK 15-10-10 + urea), T2 (NPK 12-33-19 + urea), and T3 (compost + NPK 12-33-19 + urea). NPK fertilizers were applied at 150 kg ha?1 and urea at 100 kg ha?1, while compost was applied at 5 t ha?1. Results showed that organo-mineral fertilization (T3) significantly improved vegetative growth, straw biomass, and ear production compared with the control. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus increased under fertilized treatments, indicating enhanced nutrient availability, whereas soil pH, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio showed limited variation. Despite these improvements, grain yield and thousand-grain weight were not significantly affected by fertilization. Additional agronomic indices revealed differences in harvest index and grain-to-straw ratio, suggesting a stronger response in biomass partitioning than in grain production. These findings indicate that organo-mineral fertilization enhances phosphorus availability and above-ground biomass production in sandy acidic soils. However, under the conditions of this single-season study, improved nutrient availability did not translate into significant grain yield gains. These results highlight the need for longer-term strategies to improve nutrient use efficiency and yield stability in pearl millet-based systems.

Source: International Journal of Chemical Studies

DOI: 10.22271/chemi.2026.v14.i9a.12821

Authors: Cheikh Amath Tidiane Sow, Abdoulaye Badiane, Ismaïla Coly, Papa Saliou Sarr

Institution: Ziguinchor University

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural Science and Fertilization

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: United States Agency for International Development