TITLE:
Sustainable Intensification of Rainfed Rice through Pigeon Pea Biomass and Mineral Fertilizer Integration under Contrasting Cropping Conditions in Nkolbisson, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Georges Simplice Kameni Kouedeu, Bertrand Kenzong, Désiré Evariste Moundjeu, Hortense Mafouasson, Diane Liliane Djatsa, Elza Chirelle Segnou Mbougna, Hassan Yap Mfouapon, Geordan Fabrice Meutsebo, Primus Tamfuh Azinwi, Emile Temgoua
KEYWORDS:
Upland Rice, Cajanus cajan Biomass, Integrated Nutrient Management, Gross Value Added, Benefit-Cost Ratio, Sustainable Intensification, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Voice of the Publisher,
Vol.11 No.4,
December
25,
2025
ABSTRACT: Soil fertility depletion remains a major challenge in upland rice systems across sub-Saharan Africa, where resource-poor farmers often lack access to mineral fertilizers. This study evaluated the agronomic and economic performance of integrated nutrient management in upland rice, using pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) biomass combined with mineral fertilizer (NPK: 20-10-10). Four treatments were compared: T0 (control, no input), T1 (biomass only), T2 (biomass + mineral fertilizer), and T3 (mineral fertilizer only). Results showed that T2 (biomass + NPK) produced the tallest plants (≈104 cm at 60 - 75 DAS), the highest tiller density, and the greatest grain yield (4700 kg∙ha−1), outperforming T3 (3240 kg∙ha−1), T1 (2700 kg∙ha−1), and T0 (1950 kg·ha−1). In terms of economic returns, T2 achieved the highest gross value added (GVA, 232,800 XAF·ha−1; where GVA = gross output minus intermediate costs), net return (157,800 XAF·ha−1), and benefit-cost ratio (BCR = 2.2). Interestingly, T1 (biomass only) yielded the highest BCR (2.4), reflecting its low input costs despite moderate yield. These findings highlight that integrating pigeon pea biomass with mineral fertilizer substantially improves rice yield and profitability, while biomass alone provides a cost-effective option for resource-constrained farmers. Integrated nutrient management therefore offers a viable pathway to sustainable intensification of upland rice production in sub-Saharan Africa.