Effects of Different Types of Litters and Fertilizer Application on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L. var. Across 86 Pool 16) in Senegal

This study aimed to characterize the effects of the application of different types of litters and fertilizer on the growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L. var.) in Senegal. A split plot experiment was conducted in a low fertile soil at Thies. Three factors corresponded to: inorganic fertilizer as urea at two levels (0, 2), insecticide as fipronil at two levels (0, 2) and litter type at 5 levels (D, A, B, E, F). Zero (0) represented the controls without fertilizer, insecticide or litter application. Two (2) corresponded to an application of 71.4 kg ha(-1) N fertilizer; and 7.5 L he insecticide, both sequentially applied 3 times during the trial. D, A, B, E, F corresponded to the control, 5.7 t ha(-1) of Andropogon gayanus Kunth, Casuarina equisetifolia (Forssk), Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. and Faidherbia albida (Chev.) litters, respectively, applied 73 days before sowing. This gave a total of 20 experimental units with 3 replications each. With no inorganic or insecticide application, the effect on growth parameters (plant height, medium collar diameter, number of leaves per plant) was not significantly different among the different applied litters. Litter application positively affected the growth parameters compared to the control. F. albida litter increased the quantic maximal output of the photochemical activity by 6% and the energy use efficiency by 26%, compared to the other litter types. At harvest, litters of F. albida, C. equisetifolia and P glaucum, increased grain yields by 94.3% over the control. The addition of inorganic fertilizer and/or insecticide improved the stem collar diameter and plant height and grain yield. In conclusion, the incorporation of locally available litters (more specifically that of the leguminous plants F. albida and C. equisetifolia) and their combination with inorganic N fertilizer and insecticide are good alternatives to increase maize production in tropical croplands.