Yield response of African leafy vegetables to combined manure and urea microdosing in West Africa

Description of the subject. Fertilizers microdosing was tested for African leafy vegetables (ALVs) production to reduce high rates fertilizers usually applied their in West Africa. Objectives. This study aims (i) evaluate response three ALVs (Amaranthus cruentus L., Solanum macrocarpon L. and Ocimum gratissimum L.) cattle manure combined with urea-N application timing (ii) assess partial factor productivity. Method. On-station trials were carried out over growing seasons (2015 2017) Northern Benin. Urea-N 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 60 kg urea-N·ha-1 5 t·ha-1 (M5N0, M5N10, M5N20, M5N30, M5N40 M5N60, respectively) sole as control (40 (M0N40) 80 (M0N80)) two timings (T1 = 0 T2 14 days after transplanting) a randomized complete block design four replications. Results. The M5N60 treatment resulted highest A. fresh yield improved leaf by 90 151% compared M5N0, average no-manure input treatments M0N40 M0N80, respectively, while S. best 23% M5N0. For O. gratissimum, no significant difference found between microdose rates. Besides, urea fertilizer affected neither yields nor productivity any studied species. Conclusions. Reduced combination is promising nutrient management practice Africa it saving smallholder vegetable farmers.