Effects of soil preparation techniques and organic-mineral fertilization on maize (Zea mays L.) yields in western Burkina Faso in the context of climate change

Soil preparation remains a very important operation on degraded soils subject to current rainfall deficits in the Sahel. In order to find solutions to strengthen farmers’ resilience, a study was conducted at Farako-Bâ research Center in Burkina Faso to assess the impact of tillage and fertilization options on maize yields. To this end, a split-plot experimental design was set up with soil preparation techniques as the main factor with 3 levels three : no-till, tillage, ridging; and the fertilization as secondary factor with four levels: T1: Control, no fertilizer; T2: 5 t/ha of compost + 200 kg/ha NPK + 100 kg/ha urea; T3: 10 t/ha of compost + 200 kg/ha NPK + 100 kg/ha urea; T4: 200 kg/ha of NPK + 100 kg/ha urea (recommended mineral by extension service). Data collection was focused on soil chemical parameters, maize grain and biomass yields. The results showed that ridging provided the best grain (1807 kg/ha) and biomass (2074 kg/ha) yields, followed by tillage with 1110 kg/ha and 1340 kg/ha, respectively for grain and biomass. Organo-mineral fertilization generated the best results, with a grain yield of 2041 kg/ha for treatment T3 and 1635 kg/ha for treatment T2. Data showed positive interaction between soil preparation technique and fertilization for ridging and organo-mineral fertilization, with grain yields of 3462 kg/ha and 1972 kg/ha for treatments T3 and T2, respectively. The ridging appears to be a strategy for good management of soil nutrients and water in conditions of low rainfall in Burkina Faso.