TITLE:
The Use of Chemical Fertilizers by Maize (Zea mays L.) Producers and Soil Fertility Parameters Importance in West Mayo-Kebbi Province, Chad
AUTHORS:
Aimée Izaba, Dieudonné Nwaga, Mberdoum Memti Nguinambaye, Raymond Fokom, Manga Gilbert Ghislain Mbassi, Djeuga Thierry Nkameni
KEYWORDS:
Chemical Fertilizers, Soil Fertility, Socioeconomic Study, Agroecological Management, Pala, Chad
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Soil fertility management and the use of mineral fertilizers are crucial issues for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. In regions such as the Sudanian zone of Chad, where soils are sandy and nutrient-deficient, according to producers, the adoption of chemical fertilizers is common, but remains poorly documented from both socioeconomic and scientific perspectives in the city of Pala. In a context of increasing demographic pressure, climate variability, and land degradation, agricultural systems in the Sudanian zones face major challenges. This study examines chemical fertilizer use practices among 200 maize producers and physicochemical analyses of composite soil samples from three sites of Pala (Dapambaye, Herdé, and Goïgamla). The majority of producers report that they use NPK 20-10-10 chemical fertilizer (68%) and urea (28%) to support maize production, but this is limited by high cost, which is the main constraint. These soils are predominantly sandy-loam with low water-holding capacity and low nutrient content. Maize production mainly involves men (81%) and young people. The results reveal considerable variability in soil fertility which are poor, with few acidity (pH values 6.06 - 6.53), generally low nitrogen content at Dapambaye (0.026%) and higher contents at Herdé (0.208%) and Goïgamla (0.182%); total phosphorus is low and less variable (60 - 66 ppm), the levels of organic matter (1.61, 2.75, and 3.28%) and mineral elements are variable. This study suggests the need to promote agro-ecological alternatives by increasing the water and nutrients holding capacity by organic matter, symbiosis by beneficial microorganisms (biological nitrogen fixation by legume-rhizobia and phosphorus availability with mycorrhizal fungi).