African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Fertilization options for improved cassava productivity and economic profitability in the Pissa and Damara areas, Central African Republic: Comparative Approach

Gougodo De Mon-Zoni L. J
  • Gougodo De Mon-Zoni L. J
  • Plant and Fungal Biodiversity Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bangui, Central African Republic. 2Central African Institute for Agricultural Research (ICRA), Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Kosh-Komba E
  • Kosh-Komba E
  • Plant and Fungal Biodiversity Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bangui, Central African Republic. 2Central African Institute for Agricultural Research (ICRA), Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Omenda J. A
  • Omenda J. A
  • 1Plant and Fungal Biodiversity Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bangui, Central African Republic. 3Laboratory of Biological and Agronomical Sciences for Development, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bangui, Central African Republic.
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Zaman M
  • Zaman M
  • Departement of land and Water Management, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6-60100, Embu Kenya.
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Mingabaye-Bendima B
  • Mingabaye-Bendima B
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria.
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Batawila K
  • Batawila K
  • Laboratory of Botanical and Ecological Plant, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Togo.
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Akpagana K
  • Akpagana K
  • Laboratory of Botanical and Ecological Plant, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Togo.
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  •  Received: 17 October 2022
  •  Accepted: 12 December 2022
  •  Published: 31 January 2023

Abstract

This study aimed to identify fertilization options for improving cassava productivity and profitability in two contrasting regions of the Central African Republic. The Pissa (guinea forest) and Damara (savannah). The study adopted a randomized complete block design with four treatments replicated four times in a plot size of 7 m by 7 m. The treatments were; T1 (Control), T2 (Peasant practice), T3 (sole NPK), and T4 (Cow manure+NPK). We performed the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using R statistical software version 3.1.2. The yield attributes and growth parameters significantly varied (p=0.05) with application of NPK and NPK plus manure. The use of 3 t ha-1 of cow manure and 90N-30P-180 Kg ha-1 of mineral fertilizer gave the highest yield of  50 and 37 t ha-1 in Pissa and Damara respectively compared to their local controls (no input); This combination also resulted in high profitability with high value-to-cost ratios (RVC = 2 in Pissa and 1.3 in Damara). The variability study (48.11%) showed a correlation between growth and production parameters; the effects of fertilizers were much more expressed in the plant’s circumference and the number of leaves. The use of organo-mineral fertilizer can give good productivity and profitability. Thus, T4 is a technology that resource-poor households can easily use, although the purchasing power of the peasant farmers in the study area is low.

Key words: Cassava, agro-climatic, fertilizers, yields, Central African Republic.