Progress 11/01/01 to 06/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Use of microdose fertilizer use is being demonstrated and disseminated through a variety of programs in West Africa. Although this project does not lead these efforts, it is a collaborator through national research program collaboration. Identified high nitrogen use efficient sorghum varieties and N fertilizer use has been transferred by a number of NGOs and extension service personnel in El Salvador, especially in the departments of Cabanas and Chalentanango. Crop rotation and environment/production practice influence on sorghum grain quality is being communicated through Nebraska Cooperative Extension programs.
PARTICIPANTS: Institut d"Economie Rurale, Bamako, Mali INERA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso INRAN, Niamey, Niger CENTA, San Salvador, El Salvador DICTA, Tegucigalpa, Honduras INTA, Managua, Nicaragua Graduate degree education was provided to Siebou Pale (Burkina Faso), Nouri Maman (Niger), Nanga Mady (Chad) and Joni Griess (U.S.). Short-term train was provided to Leonardo Garcia (Nicaragua).
Impacts
Wide spread adoption of microdose fertilizer use in West Africa is occurring, and we are a small player in this effort. This uses expensive, relatively unavailable fertilizer wisely usually increasing yields by 30 to 50%. The adoption of high nitrogen use efficient sorghum variety 85-SCP-805 has increased yields and profitability of nearly half the poor sorghum producers in the Departments of Cabanas and Chalatenango in El Salvador. This is particularly important as these departments are the poorest in the country, and the small farmers here have poor soils and limited resources available.
Publications
- Garcia Centeno, L., Tellez Obregon, O. and Mason, S.C.. 2007. Nitrogen use efficiency of 16 sorghum lines in Nicaragua (in Spanish). La Calera 8: 39-48.
- Garcia Centeno, L., Tellez Obregon, O. and Mason, S.C.. 2007. Effect of nitrogen on sorghum in Nicaragua (in Spanish) 18(2): 195 - 206.
- Kaye, N.M., S.C. Mason, T.D. Galusha and Martha Mamo. 2006. Nodulating and non-nodulating soybean rotation influence on soil NO3-N and water, and grain yield. Agron. J. 99: 599-606.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Crop rotation research documenting the effects of soil nitrate, plant growth and leaf area development, soil water and consequent grain yield and quality were completed. High early season soil nitrate from soybean rotation or soil amendment application promoted sorghun growth and water extraction, resulting in high yields of better quality grain. Research on the effect of hybrid and environment on sorghum grain quality is in progress, with preliminary results indicating that environment has a much larger effect on grain quality than either hybrid or the interaction effects. Drier environments with adequate N supply produced the hardest grain desirable for food uses. In Nicaragua, intercropped mungbean incorporated as a green manure during late vegetative growth was an effective source of N for high sorghum grain yields. Micro-dose applications of fertilizer increase sorghum and pearl millet grain and stover yields in West Africa, but are not adequate to reduce mining
of soil nutrients.
Impacts
Environment and production practices affect grain quality of sorghum and pearl millet as well as yield. This is important for added-value market opportunities, with the exact desired grain quality characteristics varying depending upon the end-use. This research should contribute to increased production of food-grade grain sorghum in the U.S. and internationally.
Publications
- Kaye, N.M., Mason, S.C., Jackson, D.s. and Galusha, T.D. 2007. Crop rotation and soil amendment influence alters sorghum grain quality. Crop Sci. 47: (In Press).
- Kaye, N.M., Mason, S.C., Galusha, T.D. and Mamo, M. 2007. Nodulating and non-nodulating soybean rotation influence on soil NO3-N and water, and sorghum grain yield. Agron. J. 99: (In Press).
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Research efforts related to nutrient management and use efficiency in West Africa and Central America. Microdose fertilizer application increased pearl millet grain yield across three years and three West African countries by 249 kg ha-1 (49%) and stover yield by 612 kg ha-1 (38%), but results were variable as indicated by interaction effects. Microdose application resulted in similar net nutrient removal as the zero fertilizer control. Over 30 kg ha-1 N and approximately 10 kg ha-1 P were required to eliminate mining of nutrients from the soil. The highest grain and stover yields required 20 kg ha-1 P and 30 kg ha-1 N. In El Salvador, the photoperiod sensitive varieties 85SCP805 with 47 kg ha-1 N application increased grain yield by approximately 800 kg ha-1 (26%) over the local check without N application. In 2004 the range in yields of photoperiod insensitive lines ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 Mg ha-1, but only ICSVLM-90520 produced a higher yield than the best control
variety of Soberano. ICSVLM-90520 had the best grain yield, was in the top 5 for stover yield, and within the top 6 for grain nitrogen use efficiency. It is recommended that the Plant Breeding program introduce this line into its crossing program and evaluate it further. In Nicaragua, large differences among environments, lines and N rates were present. However, the local check variety Pinolero along with the line ICSCVLM-93076 produced approximately 3.7 Mg ha-1 grain surpassing the yields of rest of the varieties by 0.5 to 1.1 Mg ha-1. With N application, ICSCVLM-93076 produced the highest grain yield of 5.1 Mg ha-1 compared to 4.2 Mg ha-1 for Pinolero. ICSCVM-93076 was N responsive while still producing high yields without N application. This line has been submitted to the CNIA/INTA sorghum breeding program for evaluation and use in the breeding. In El Salvador average grain yield without N fertilizer was 2002 kg ha-1 while with 21 kg N ha-1 average yield was 2920 kg ha-1, and
increase in yield of 46% with a marginal return of 44 kg ha-1 grain production for each kg N ha-1. In Nicaragua, N fertilizer application increased the average grain yield from 3.1 to 3.9 Mg ha-1 (26%), emphasizing the importance of promoting N fertilizer use to increase grain sorghum grain yields. Increased technology transfer efforts in collaboration with fertilizer input suppliers, extension service and NGOs is merited. Research in the United States determined that rotation with non-nodulating soybean without soil amendment increased sorghum grain yield by 2.6 to 3.0 Mg ha-1, stover yields by 1.5 to 1.8 Mg ha-1, and soil NO3-N at the vegetative growth stage. Rotation with nodulating soybean further increased grain yields by 1.7 to 1.8 Mg ha-1 and stover yield by 0.6 to 0.9 Mg ha-1. On average grain N concentrations were increased by 0.5, 5.0 and 4.7 g kg-1 for continuous sorghum and sorghum rotated wtih non-nodulating and nodulating soybean, respectively. Cropping sequences
influenced grain hardness to a lesser extent. Non-biological N fixation effect accounted for 67 to 83% of enhanced sorghum yield due to crop rotation with soybean.
Impacts
Higher yielding sorghum varieties combined with increased N fertilizer use can increase yields by approximately 30% in Central America. Microdose application of fertilizer in West Africa greatly increases grain and stover yield, but is not adequate to stop crops from mining soil nutrients contributing to soil degradation.
Publications
- Duarte, A.P., S.C. Mason, D.S. Jackson and J. de C. Keihl. 2004. Grain quality of Brazilian maize genotypes as influenced by nitrogen level. Crop Sci. 45:1958-1964.
- Maman, N., S.C. Mason and D. J. Lyon. 2004. Yield components of pearl millet and grain sorghum across environments in the Central Great Plains. Crop Sci. 44: 2138-2145.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Microdose fertilizer application increased pearl millet grain yield across three years and three West African countries by 249 kg ha-1 (49%), but results were variable as indicated by interaction effects. Microdose application resulted in similar net nutrient removal as the zero fertilizer control. Over 30 kg ha-1 N and approximately 10 kg ha-1 P were required to eliminate mining of nutrients from the soil. The highest grain and stover yields required 20 kg ha-1 P and 30 kg ha-1 N. Rotation of rows between pearl millet and cowpea in a row-intercropping system increased pearl millet grain yields by 114 kg ha-1 (9%) over monoculture pearl millet, thus increasing the land efficiency ratio by 42%. Zai plus 300 g manure per hill increased grain sorghum grain yields greatly due to water conservation and nutrient application. Study was initiated to determine best management practices for production of grain sorghum for dolo (traditional beer) in Burkina Faso. In Nicaragua,
nitrogen application increased sorghum grain yields quadratically for both photoperiod insensitive varieties with the highest yields of 3.9 Mg ha-1 being produced at the highest N rate of 194 kg ha-1, but economic analysis indicated 129 kg ha-1 to be the optimal rate. Little difference in nitrogen use efficiency was found among the photoperiod insensitive varieties tested, indicating that broader screening of germplasm in Central America sorghum breeding programs will be needed to identify and develop high nitrogen use efficient photoinsensitive sorghum varieties. In El Salvador, the photoperiod sensitive varieties 85SCP805 with 47 kg ha-1 N application increased grain yield by approximately 800 kg ha-1 (26%) over the local check without N application Research in the United States determined that 90 kg ha-1 N produced optimum pearl millet grain yields in Eastern Nebraska, but N application often resulted no economic yield increase in the drier Western Nebraska production environment.
In cropping sequence studies maured plots produced the highest grain and stover yield, grain N concentration and tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD) recovery. Approximately 80% of the rotation yield enhancement was due to N contribution, and 20% to other rotational benefits. Increasing N supply increased grain N concentration to a much greater extent than quality measures associated with kernel hardness.
Impacts
These technologies will increase grain sorghum and pearl millet yields thus increasing potential profit, and contributing to food security.
Publications
- Maman, Nouri, D.J. Lyon, S.C. Mason, T.D. Galusha and R. Higgins. 2003. Pearl millet and grain sorghum yield response to water supply in Nebraska. Agron. J. 95: 1618 - 1624.
- Traore, Samba, S.C. Mason, A.R. Martin, D.A. Martinson and J.J. Spotanski. 2003. Velvetleaf interference effects on yield and growth of grain sorghum. Agron. J. 95: 1602 - 1607.
- Hilgenfeld, K. L., A. R. Martin, D. A. Mortensen, and S. C. Mason. 2004. Weed Management in glyphosate soybean (Glysine max) system: Weed emergence patterns in relation to Glyphosate treatment timing. Weed Tech. 18: 277 - 283.
- Hilgenfeld, K.L., A. R. Martin, D. A. Mortensen, and S. C. Mason. 2004. Weed Management in glyphosate soybean (Glysine max) system: Weed species shifts. Weed Tech. 18: 284 - 283.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Micro-dose fertilizer yield response of grain sorghum and pearl millet was not uniform across locations, but on average increased grain yield by 35% and stover yield by 61% in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Optimal yields were produced with micro-dose application plus 20 kg/ha P and 30 kg/ha N. The use of an animal traction zai system in Burkina Faso was equal to the traditional zai, and reduced labor by approximately 278 man-hrs/ha. In Central America, the photoperiod sensitive grain sorghum varieties SCP-805 and ES-790 were found to produce high grain yields and to have high nitrogen use efficiencies, and in 2003 are in on-farm validation trials across El Salvador. Differences in nitrogen use efficiencies for photoperiod insensitive grain sorghum varieties was not identified, and research efforts are now evaluating a broader set of germplasm. In Nebraska, crop rotation was shown to increase profit due to increased diversification, higher yields, lower costs of
production, and greater yield stability. Proper fertilizer management, tillage and cropping systems have been shown to increase grain sorghum and pearl millet yields in the diverse environments present in Africa and North America.
Impacts
These technologies will increase grain sorghum and pearl millet yields thus increasing potential profit, and contributing to food security.
Publications
- Maman, N. 2003. Water and nitrogen use of pearl millet and grain sorghum in Nebraska. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
- Blumenthal, J.M., Baltensperger, D.D., Cassman, K.G., Mason, S.C. and Pavlista. 2001. Importance and effect of nitrogen on crop quality and health, p. 45 - 63. IN Follett, R.F. and Hatfield, J.L. (eds). Nitrogen in the environment: Sources, problems and management. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Siebou, P., Mason, S.C. and Galusha, T. 2003. Planting time for early-season pearl millet and grain sorghum in Nebraska. Agronomy Journal 95: 1047 - 1053.
- Garcia, L., Tellez, O. and Mason, S.C. 2003. Determinacion del uso eficiente de nitrogeno en cuatro varidades de sorgo para grano en la zona del Pacifico de Nicaragua. La Calera 3: 36 - 42.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Preliminary studies with microdose fertilizer application in West Afria showed variable results. A mechanized zai system in Burkina Faso increased yields to those equal to the traditional zai, but with 22 han hours/ha less labor. NUE differences were not found among photoperiod insensitive varieties in El Salvador and Nicaragua. Grain sorghum was more responsive than pearl millet to water application in western and eastern Nebraska, and produced higher grain yield. Planting date studies indicated that grain sorghum produced higher yields than pearl millet except for late planting dates common to double cropping or replant situations. Pearl millet has limited potential as an alternate grain crop in the Great Plains.
Impacts
The mechanized zai system offers potential to increase pearl millet yields using animal traction and minimizing labor inputs. Pearl millet has limted potential as an alternate grain crop in Nebraska, only as a double crop or emergency replant crop. Identification of high nitrogen use efficient genotypes would increase grain sorghum with less nitrogen fertilizer use in Central America.
Publications
- Samba Traore, J. L. Lindquist, S. C. Mason, A. R. Martin, and D.A. Mortensen. 2002. Comparative ecophysiology of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and Abutilon theophrasti in monoculture and in mixture. Weed Res. 42: 65 - 75.
- D'Croz-Mason, N.E., J.E. Foster and S.C. Mason. 2002. Registration of N547 maize germplasm line. Crop Sci. 42(1): 312.
- Maman, N., S.C. Mason and S. Fernandez-Rivera. 2001. Growing season pearl millet tiller harvest as a potential forage source in Niger. Agron. Abstr.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Growing season harvest of pearl millet tillers in Niger produced 700 kg/ha forage without reducing grain or stover yield. N rate studies showed either linear or quadratic grain yield increases to applied N. In eastern Nebraska, the highest pearl millet grain yields were produced by planting about 400 to 600 heat units after April, with the earlier planting date being better for heavier textured soils. In western Nebraska, the highest yields were produced 100 to 200 heat units after April 1, but the yield decline to late planting was less than in eastern Nebraska, indicating that it may have potential as an emergency replant crop in this region.
Impacts
Pearl millet has potential as an alternate grain crop in Nebraska, and this research helps define the recommended production practices needed to optimize production. Pearl millet tiller harvest in Niger affords opportunity to provided needed forage without adversely effecting grain or stover yield.
Publications
- Stockton, R.D. and Mason, S.C. 2001. Ethylene production and ACC oxidase activity during grain sorghum germination and emergence. Agronomy Abstracts.
- Kathol, D.P., Mason, S.C. and Galusha, T.D. 2001. Comparison of new and old maize and sorghum hybrids. Agronomy Abstracts.
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C. and Fernandez-Rivera, S. 2001. Growing season tiller harvest as a potential forage source in Niger. Agronomy Abstracts.
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
In Niger with long season pearl millet, altering plant population and thinning tillers had no effect on grain or stover yield. Harvested tillers at 65 days after planting could provide approximately 250 kg/ha forage with high protein and phosphorus content. Harvesting at 85 days after planting produced similar quantity of forage with similar fiber content, but the protein and phosphorus content was decreased. Tiller harvest during the early growing season can provide a valuable forage source without reducing pearl millet yield.
Impacts
Harvesting tillers from long-season pearl millet varieties 65 days after planting affords the opportunity to provide high quality livestock forage during the early portion of the growing season when livestock feed is in short supply in the Sahel.
Publications
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C., Galusha, T. and Clegg, M.D. 1999. Hybrid and nitrogen influence on pearl millet production in Nebraska: Yield, growth, nitrogen uptake, and nitrogen use efficiency. Agron. J. 91:737-743.
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C. and Sirifi, S. 2000. Influence of variety and management level on pearl millet production in Niger:I. Grain yield and dry matter accumulation. Afri. Crop Sci. J. 8:25-34.
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C. and Sirifi, S. 2000. Influence of variety and management level on pearl millet production in Niger:II. N and P concentration and accumulation. Afri. Crop Sci. J. 8:35-47.
- Taonda, J.B., Maman, N., Coulibaly, A., Akanvou, R., Ari, C. and Mason, S.C. 1999. West African principal constraints research for pearl millet. Agron. Absts., p. 53.
- Mason, S.C. and Maranville, J.W. 1999. Collaborative research programs enhance graduate education. Agron. Absts., p. 53.
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Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/99
Outputs
Research found that either tall or high vertical leaf area distribution grain sorghum genotypes were more competitive with weeds, and plant breeding for this traits could assist IPM programs. Ethylene was found to be essential for early seedling growth and the genotypes Naga White, CE 145-66, PI 550590 and San Chi San were temperature tolerant or resistant. Pearl millet planting date research indicated a recommended date of June 1, but had a large planting date window. Narrowing rows from 76 to 38 cm increased grain yield 12 to 15%. Studies on the Maiwa pearl millet production system of Niger found that some tillers could be harvested for livestock feed at 65 and 85 days after planting without reducing grain or stover yield. Crop rotation research across West Africa indicated 10 to 19% pearl millet grain yield increase with either cowpea or peanut as the previous crop.
Impacts
Pearl millet appears to be a viable alternate crop for intensifying the wheat-fallow system of western Nebraska. This would increase income potential for producers, diversify production, and meet needs of the livestock industry in this grain deficite area.
Publications
- Traore, S. 1999. Effects fo genotypes and weed removal on the competitive ability of grain sorghum. Ph.D Dissertation, Univ. of Nebraska. 208 pp
- Stockton, R.D. 1999. Ethylene involvement in grain sorghum germination and early seedling growth. Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. of Nebraska. 110 pp.
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Progress 10/01/97 to 09/30/98
Outputs
Growth analysis and nutrient uptake of dwarf pearl millet hybrids was at two N levels. Applied N increased grain yield by 0.4 to 0.5 Mg/ha, but had a small effect on dry matter accumulation. Dry matter accumulation increased cubically or quadratically until physiological maturity with 0.7 to 2.0 g/m2/GDD maximum crop growth rate in 1995 and 1996.Relative growth rates declined with time. Nitrogen accumulation differences were due to dry matter production rather than N concentrations. Environmental variability due to years had the greatest effect on yield, growth and N accumulations, N rates had an intermediate effect, and hybrid the least effect.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Limon-Ortega, A., Mason, S.C. and Martin, A.R. 1998. Production practices improve grain sorghum and pearl millet competitiveness with weeds. Agron. J. 90:227-232.
- Bagayoko, M., Mason, S.C. and Traore, S. 1998. The role of cowpea on pearl millet yield, N uptake and soil nutrient status in millet-cowpea rotation in Mali, p.109-114. IN Soil Fertility Management In West African Land Use Systems.Margraf Verlag, Weikersheim, Germany.
- Maman, N. 1998. Pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake in Nebraska and Niger. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. 194 pp.
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C. and Sirifi. 1997. Genotype and fertilizer influence on pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake in Niger. Agron. Abst., p. 96.
- Maman, N., Mason, S.C. and Galusha, T.D. 1997. Genotype and N influence on pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake in Nebraska. Agron. Abst., p. 96.
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Progress 10/01/96 to 09/30/97
Outputs
Niger research found small genotype and large production practice differences on pearl millet grain and dry matter yield, and nutrient uptake. Mali research indicated that rotation of pearl millet with cowpea increased grain and stover yield by 30%, and stover protein concentration by 0.17% while not effecting grain protein concentration. Removal of crop residue from 1991-95 had no effect on grain yield, pH, soil carbon or cation exchange capacity, but reduced the soil phosphorus and potassium concentration. Nebraska research on growth analysis of pearl millet indicated that dry matter accumulation and nitrogen uptake occurred slowly during early growth, and increased with later stem and head growth. Few differences in nutrient concentrations were found among genotypes or due to nitrogen application. Pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake was influenced greatly by climatic conditions, and to a small extent by genotype and nitrogen.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Bagayoko, M., Mason, S.C., Traore, S., Eskridge, K.M. 1996. Pearl millet/cowpea cropping system yields and soil nutrient levels. African Crop Sci. J. 4(4): 453- 462.
- Nouri, M., Mason, S.C., Sirifi, S. 1997. Genotype and fertilizer influence on pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake in Niger. Agron.
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