TITLE:
Application of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) and Biochar Improved the Performance and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in Saline Soils While Reducing Intrinsic Biochemical Attributes
AUTHORS:
Komla Kyky Ganyo, Kossi Koudjega, Ekpetsi Chantal Bouka, Atalaèsso Bokobana, Komlan Adigninou Abléde, Messan Kassa Dewa, Hèzouwè Kao Kezie, Gbedehoue Esaïe Kpadonou, Koffi Tozo, Nhamo Nhamo, Zied Hammami, Rakesh Kumar Singh
KEYWORDS:
Salinity, Soil Amendments, Crop Yields, West Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.15 No.8,
August
12,
2025
ABSTRACT: Soil salinity is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the impact of organic and inorganic soil amendments on the growth, yield, and biochemical attributes (total protein, proline, and malondialdehyde) of pearl millet and sorghum in salt-affected soils. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons, from June to September 2021 and January to April 2022. Pearl millet variety IP 19586 and sorghum variety ICSV-700 were exposed to five soil amendments, including a control, Leucaena leucocephala (a green manure applied at 5 t/ha), biochar (5 t/ha) made from palm shells, rock phosphate (2.5 t/ha), and dolomitic lime (3.3 t/ha). The experimental design used a split-plot design with randomized blocks, with crops as the primary plot factor and amendments as the subplot factor, each replicated three times. Inorganic fertilizers were applied to each plot at rates of 150 kg/ha NPK (15-15-15) and 100 kg/ha urea (46%). Results showed that different amendments significantly affected sorghum height, while pearl millet growth was not affected (P