Effects of locally sourced organic fertilizers on sorghum yield in Burkina Faso

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a crucial crop in Burkina Faso, holding a central position in the country's agriculture and food systems. It contributes to rural household incomes, particularly through the sale of surplus production. However, its culture faces significant challenges, with limited access to inputs being among the most critical. This study was initiated to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers on sorghum yields and sustainable soil productivity in the East Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. The objective was to contribute to improving soil fertility to sustainably enhance sorghum yields. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized Fisher block design, consisting of two blocks. Bokashi treatment was applied in block 1, while local liquid fertilizer treatment was applied in block 2, with 4 replications and 6 and 7 treatments, respectively. The chemical properties of the organic fertilizers, soil macrofauna, yields, and their components were analyzed. The results showed that Bokashi had significant levels of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and a highly alkaline pH compared to liquid fertilizer, which had lower nutrient levels. Bokashi had a C/N ratio of 32.6 with a basic pH. Observations indicated that all treatments yielded better results than the control. However, treatments T4 and T6 achieved the highest macrofauna densities, with 33 individuals/m² and 25 individuals/m², and diversity indices of 1.18 and 1.35, respectively. The highest average grain yields were achieved with treatments T2 (4525.2 ± 321.50 kg/ha), T1 (4153.5 ±488.27 kg/ha) and T6 (4086.0 ±319.00 kg/ha). These results suggest that organo-mineral fertilization is an effective approach to improve sorghum yields.