Effects of different inputs of organic matter on the response of plant production to a soil water stress in Sahelian region

Abstract

The aim was to study the effects of organic management like the application of organic matters on crop production. This research is placed in the context of climate change impact mitigation. A field experiment was conducted during the dry season. Rainfall inputs were simulated by irrigation to study the effects of water stress during the flowering period of a grain on the agronomic and the physiological behavior of the plant. The measurements were made on the volumetric soil moisture, stomatal conductance, and leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, straw and weight of 100 grains. The water use efficiency (WUE) and yield losses were evaluated. The results of the volumetric soil moisture showed that the use of localized input under water stress (STR-T1) recorded the lowest moisture in the surface horizons. Treatment with localized input under water stress with or without fertilization (STR-T1, STR-T1 + N) showed an ability of stomatal regulation compared to the control (STR- T0) and the input application by spreading (STR- T2). (STR-T1 + N) has initiated an early stomatal closure of the plant because of the effect of nitrogen. However, despite a more pronounced water stress with stomatal closure, the LAI and the grain yield were greater with (STR-T1) and (STR-T1 + N). The results showed that the inputs of localized organic fertilization with or without nitrogen grain yields were the highest regardless of the hydric regime applied. However the losses of grain yield were higher in treatments with organic inputs in spreading and localized under water stress. The WUE by the crop was reduced compared to the control with organic inputs under STR. In this study we show that the use of organic matter increases de farmers risk and this notion of risk is high and it is necessary to consider this risk in the proposals of technical innovations.