Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin
Feeding the world in 2050 requires us to find ways to boost yields of the main local crops. Among those crops, cowpea is one of the grain legumes that is playing an important role in the livelihood of millions of people in West Africa, especially in Benin. Unfortunately, cowpea on-farm yields are ve...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/6/1139 |
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| author | Firmin N. Anago Emile C. Agbangba Brice T. C. Oussou Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin Lucien G. Amadji |
| author_facet | Firmin N. Anago Emile C. Agbangba Brice T. C. Oussou Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin Lucien G. Amadji |
| author_sort | Firmin N. Anago |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Feeding the world in 2050 requires us to find ways to boost yields of the main local crops. Among those crops, cowpea is one of the grain legumes that is playing an important role in the livelihood of millions of people in West Africa, especially in Benin. Unfortunately, cowpea on-farm yields are very low. In order to understand the main factors explaining cowpea yield gaps, we collected and analyzed detailed survey data from 298 cowpea fields in Benin during the 2017, 2018 and 2019′s rainy seasons, respectively. Composite soil samples were collected from cowpea fields and analyzed in the laboratory. Data on farm field management practices and field conditions were recorded through interviews with 606 farmers. Average cowpea grain yields were low and seldom surpassed 700 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> on farmer’s fields. Significant differences were observed between cowpea grain yields from northern to southern Benin (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and the lowest yields were observed in northern Benin. These low yields are related to crop management practices, soil nutrient contents, and the interaction of both. According to the model of regression tree from northern to southern Benin, the use of mineral fertilizer, insecticide sprays to control pests, and the improvement of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (P, N, K) and cation sum content in the topsoil would increase cowpea grain yields. Insect pests, diseases, and soil fertility decline are the largest constraints limiting grain yield in Benin. Future research should focus on formulating site-specific fertilizer recommendations for effective cowpea cultivation in Benin, as well as the control of insect pests and diseases. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:46:07Z |
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| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:46:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-a346ac7062b8424ca5ebedb78e65dc582023-11-21T22:37:06ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952021-06-01116113910.3390/agronomy11061139Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in BeninFirmin N. Anago0Emile C. Agbangba1Brice T. C. Oussou2Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin3Lucien G. Amadji4Laboratory of Soil Sciences, School of Plant Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, BeninLaboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 04 BP 1525 RP Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Soil Science, Water and Environment, Research agricultural Center of Agonkanmey, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Benin, 01 BP 988 RP, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Soil Science, Water and Environment, Research agricultural Center of Agonkanmey, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Benin, 01 BP 988 RP, Cotonou, BeninLaboratory of Soil Sciences, School of Plant Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 RP Cotonou, BeninFeeding the world in 2050 requires us to find ways to boost yields of the main local crops. Among those crops, cowpea is one of the grain legumes that is playing an important role in the livelihood of millions of people in West Africa, especially in Benin. Unfortunately, cowpea on-farm yields are very low. In order to understand the main factors explaining cowpea yield gaps, we collected and analyzed detailed survey data from 298 cowpea fields in Benin during the 2017, 2018 and 2019′s rainy seasons, respectively. Composite soil samples were collected from cowpea fields and analyzed in the laboratory. Data on farm field management practices and field conditions were recorded through interviews with 606 farmers. Average cowpea grain yields were low and seldom surpassed 700 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> on farmer’s fields. Significant differences were observed between cowpea grain yields from northern to southern Benin (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and the lowest yields were observed in northern Benin. These low yields are related to crop management practices, soil nutrient contents, and the interaction of both. According to the model of regression tree from northern to southern Benin, the use of mineral fertilizer, insecticide sprays to control pests, and the improvement of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium (P, N, K) and cation sum content in the topsoil would increase cowpea grain yields. Insect pests, diseases, and soil fertility decline are the largest constraints limiting grain yield in Benin. Future research should focus on formulating site-specific fertilizer recommendations for effective cowpea cultivation in Benin, as well as the control of insect pests and diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/6/1139food securitysoil fertilitycrop management practicescowpea yield |
| spellingShingle | Firmin N. Anago Emile C. Agbangba Brice T. C. Oussou Gustave D. Dagbenonbakin Lucien G. Amadji Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin Agronomy food security soil fertility crop management practices cowpea yield |
| title | Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin |
| title_full | Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin |
| title_fullStr | Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin |
| title_short | Cultivation of Cowpea Challenges in West Africa for Food Security: Analysis of Factors Driving Yield Gap in Benin |
| title_sort | cultivation of cowpea challenges in west africa for food security analysis of factors driving yield gap in benin |
| topic | food security soil fertility crop management practices cowpea yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/6/1139 |
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