A. Bationo et al., AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF TILEMSI PHOSPHATE ROCK IN DIFFERENT AGROECOLOGICAL ZONES OF MALI, Nutrient cycling in agroecosystems, 48(3), 1997, pp. 179-189
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.