Effects of Tillage and Organic-mineral Fertilization on Chlorophyll Assimilation and Maize Yields in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Low soil fertility and irregular rainfall are major constraints to rain-fed maize production in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to develop technologies to optimize maize productivity. It consisted of conducting a trial at the Saria research station in 2024 and 2025. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with split plot arrangement of treatments and three replications. Three tillage methods (i) scarifying, (ii) ploughing and (iii) tied- ridging were allocated to the main plots: Five fertilization levels (i) zero fertilization (F1), (ii) 200 kg ha-1 NPK + 200 kg ha-1 urea 30N (F2), (iii) 300 kg ha-1 NPK + 100 kg ha-1 urea 30N (F3), (iv) F2 + 2,500 kg ha-1 compost (F4) and (v) F3 + 2,500 kg ha-1 compost (F5) were applied in the sub-plots. The SPAD leaf chlorophyll index, 1000-kernel weight, grain yield and stover yield were evaluated. Compared to F1, the results showed an improvement in 1000-kernel weight of around 136% with F2 and F3; 145% with F4 and 135% with F5. There was also an increase in grain yield of around 409% with F2; 471.37% with F3; 633.33% with F4, and 430.20% with F5 compared to F1. Furthermore, with these same treatments, stover yield varied from 617 to 2431 kg ha⁻¹ while the leaf chlorophyll index varied from 26.02 to 42.55. Ploughing and tied-ridging improved stover yield compared to scarifying. These results show that tillage combined with fertilization improves chlorophyll assimilation and maize yields.