Effects of supplementary irrigation, organic and mineral fertilizers on the agrophysiological performance of three varieties of millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Pennisetum glaucum L. is a cereal grown in Burkina Faso. However, its cultivation encounters pedoclimatic constraints. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplemental irrigation and organic and mineral fertilizers on the physiology and production of local millet C-88 and two varieties of Chinese millet (ZZG21 and JG47). As a result, the three millet varieties were grown according to a split-split plot system, then four levels of fertilization and two water regimes were applied. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in physiological and production parameters. At the flowering stage, C-88 fertilized with NPK (-0.39 ± 0.02 MPa) or with the fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (-0.41 ± 0.05 MPa) and JG47 fertilized with NPK (-0.42 ± 0.06 MPa) or fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (-0.4 ± 0.02 MPa), obtained higher minimum water potentials. Also, C-88 had higher yields on soils watered and fertilized with NPK (9.46 ± 0.67 g of 1000 grains) or with fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (9.41 ± 0.59 g of 1000 grains) compared to Chinese varieties including JG47 watered and fertilized with NPK (2.67 ± 0.43 g of 1000 grains) or fertilizer Liquid fertilizer (2.65 ± 0.37 g of 1000 grains). C-88 and JG47 could therefore be recommended to have better physiological responses and better production on soils amended with NPK or Liquid fertilizer fertilizer in complementary irrigation.