AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF TILEMSI PHOSPHATE ROCK IN DIFFERENT AGROECOLOGICAL ZONES OF MALI

Phosphorus deficiency is known as one of the major constraints to crop production in West Africa. Farmer-managed trials were conducted in th ree agroecological zones of Mall to evaluate the profitability of Tile msi phosphate rock (TPR) in different crop-rotation systems in compari son with conventional water-soluble fertilizers. Marginal analyses wer e used to compare treatments tested. Results show that crop yields usi ng TPR are comparable to those of recommended cotton-or cereal-complex imported fertilizers. The economic evaluation also clearly indicated that direct application of TPR is relatively profitable in comparison with recommended imported fertilizers and that good management enhance s the profitability of fertilizers in general.