Evaluation of different mineral fertilizer microdosing options to optimize the productivity of Pearl millet hybrids (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in the central groundnut basin of Senegal
Malick Ndiaye, Mame Diarra Mbaye, Adama Ngom, Youssoupha Sankharé, Modou Ngom, Nathalie Diagne
International Journal of Chemical Studies September 1, 2026 DOI: 10.22271/chemi.2026.v14.i9a.12818 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Split-plot field trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) hybrids and variety Taaw grown in the groundnut-growing region of central Senegal |
| Interventions | NPK 15-15-15 NPK 10-10-20 NPK 15-10-10 DAP 18-46-0 |
| Dose | F1: 75 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15-15-15 + 5 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 10-10-20 + 75 kg ha⁻¹ urea (46% N); F2: ½ F1 as microdose; F3: 150 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 15-10-10 + 100 kg ha⁻¹ urea (46% N); F4: ½ F3 as microdose; F5: 100 kg ha⁻¹ DAP 18-46-0 + 50 kg ha⁻¹ urea (46% N); F6: ½ F5 as microdose |
| Duration | 2022 rainy season |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Key findings | Microdose mineral fertiliser treatments gave grain and dry biomass yields statistically equivalent to the standard full-dose treatment (F3), while showing the best agronomic efficiencies. The highest grain yield was recorded for ICMH177111 (1,689.7 ± 365.3 kg ha⁻¹) and the highest dry biomass for Taaw (4,896.7 ± 942.1 kg ha⁻¹). The authors propose microdosing as a promising alternative for improving fertiliser efficiency and millet hybrid productivity in Senegal's groundnut-growing region. |
Abstract
Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), the most widely grown cereal in Senegal, plays an important role in food security. However, its production remains limited by low soil fertility and by mineral fertilisation practices that are often ill-suited to the various agroecological zones and the varieties grown. This study assessed the effect of different microdose mineral fertilisation options on the productivity of millet hybrids under conditions in the central part of Senegal’s groundnut-growing region. The trial was conducted during the 2022 rainy season at the National Centre for Agronomic Research in Bambey. The experimental design used was a split-plot design with three replicates, comprising, as the main plot, the variety with three treatments (Taaw, ICMH177111 and Thialack 2) and mineral fertilisation at seven levels (subplot): F0 (unfertilised control), F1 (75 kg ha?¹ of NPK 15-15-15 + 5 kg ha?¹ of NPK 10-10-20 + 75 kg ha?¹ of urea at 46 % N), F2 (½ F1 as a microdose), F3 (150 kg ha?¹ of NPK 15-10-10 + 100 kg ha?¹ of urea at 46% N), F4 (½ F3 as a microdose), F5 (100 kg ha?¹ of DAP 18-46-0 + 50 kg ha?¹ of urea containing 46% N) and F6 (½ F5 applied as a microdose). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the microdosed mineral fertiliser treatments recorded statistically equivalent grain and dry biomass yields to the standard fertiliser treatment (F3). Furthermore, treatment F4 had the shortest growth cycle (71 ± 13 days after sowing). The highest grain and dry biomass yields were obtained with ICMH177111 (1,689.7 ± 365.3 kg ha?¹) and Taaw (4,896.7 ± 942.1 kg ha?¹) respectively. Furthermore, the best agronomic efficiencies were recorded with the microdose. The microdose therefore appears to be a promising alternative for improving fertiliser efficiency and the productivity of millet hybrids in Senegal’s groundnut-growing region.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on microdosing, most cited first.