Abstract
An overview is provided of the N efficiency research conducted within the West African Fertilizer Management and Evaluation Network (WAFMEN). Factors such as N rate, mode of N fertilizer application and choice of N sources for different agroecological zones of West Africa are discussed in relation to crop yield response. The interactive effects of cropping density and rainfall on N efficiency and yield are examined with particular emphasis on production of millet in Niger. The potential role of new, slow-release fertilizers as well as urea amended with urease inhibitors is mentioned in relation to present and future fertilizer N requirements in West Africa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen SE (1984) Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers, In: Hauck RD (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 195–205, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
Arora Y and Juo ASR (1982) Leaching of fertilizer ions in a kaolinitic Ultisol in the high rainfall tropics: leaching of nitrate in field plots under cropping and bare fallow. Soil Sci Soc Am J 46: 1212–1218
Balasubramanian V and Singh L (1982) Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use under rainfed maize and irrigated wheat at Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Fert Res 3: 315–324
Bationo A, Christianson CB and Baethgen WE (1989) Plant density on plant millet production in a sandy soil of Niger. Agronomy J 82: 290–295
Bationo A, Christianson CB, Baethgen WE and Mokwunye AU (1989) A farm-level evaluation of fertilizer use and planting density in millet production in Niger. Fert Res (Submitted)
Bock BR (1984) Efficient use of nitrogen in cropping systems In: Hauck (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 273–294, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
Bouwmeester RJB Vlek PLG and Stumpe JM (1985) Effect of environmental factors on ammonia volatilization from a urea-based soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 49: 376–382
Bumb BL (1989) Global Fertilizer Perspective, 1960–95, Technical Bulletin T-35, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Buresh RJ (1987) Ammonia volatilization from point-placed urea in upland soil. Fert Res 12: 263–268
Carmona G, Christianson CB and Byrnes BH (1989) The effect of low temperature and low concentrations of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) Thiophosphoric Triamide (nBTPT) on ammonia volatilization from urea. Fert Res (in press)
Christianson CB (1988) Factors affecting N release of urea from reactive layer coated urea. Fert Res 16: 273–284
Christianson CB, Bationio A, Henao J and Vlek PLG (1990) Fate and efficiency of N fertilizer applied to millet in Niger. Plant and Soil 125: 221–231
Hauck RD (1984) Technological approaches to improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use by crops In: Hauck RD (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 551–560, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
IFDC (1987) Annual report, 1986. International Fertilizer Development Center, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
IFDC (1989) Annual report 1988. International Fertilizer Development Center, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Jones MJ (1976) Effects of three nitrogen fertilizers and lime on pH and exchangeable cation content at different depths in cropped soils at two sites in the Nigerian savanna. Trop Agric (Trinidad) 53: 243–254
Legg JO and Meisinger JJ (1982) Soil nitrogen budgets In: Nitrogen in Agricultural Soils, pp 503–557, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
McIntire J (1986) Constraints to fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa In: Mokwunye AU and Vlek PLG (eds) Management of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers in Sub-Saharan African, pp 33–58, Martinus Nijhoff, Netherlands
Mughogho SK, Bationo A, Christianson CB and Vlek PLG (1986) Management of nitrogen fertilizers for tropical African soils In: Mokwunye AU and Vlek PLG (eds) Management of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa, pp 117–172, Martinus Nijhoff, Netherlands
Mughogho SK, Christianson CB, Stumpe JM and Vlek PLG (1989) Nitrogen efficiency at three sites in Nigeria as affected by N source and management. Trop Agric (Trinidad) 67: 127–132
O'Connor MJ and Hendrickson LL (1987) Effect of phenylphosphorodiamidate on ammonia volatilization as affected by soil temperature and rates and distribution of urea. Soil Sci Soc Am J 51: 1062–1066
Olsen RA (1984) Nitrogen use in dryland farming under semiarid conditions In: Hauck RD (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 335–347, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
Stangel PJ (1984) World nitrogen situation — trends, outlook, and requirements In: Hauck RD (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 23–54, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
Yadvinder-Singh and Beauchamp EG (1987) Nitrification inhibition with large urea granules, dicyandiamide, and low temperature. Soil Sci 144: 412–419
Voss RD (1984) Potential for use of urease inhibitors In: Hauck RD (ed) Nitrogen in Crop Production, pp 571–577, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Christianson, C.B., Vlek, P.L.G. Alleviating soil fertility constraints to food production in West Africa: Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers applied to food crops. Fertilizer Research 29, 21–33 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048986
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048986