Effect of basic fertilization on transgenic Bt cotton yields in small-scale dryland farming systems: An experience in the Makhathini flats, Kwazulu natal, South Africa
Contrary to practices applied in food crops for which the use of fertilizer is quiet common in small-scale farming, cotton farmers of the Makhathini Flats don't use any fertilizing program. The recent introduction of Bt cotton in this area is supposed to resolve a major yield-limiting factor. boll losses due to bollworms (mainly Helicoverpa armigera). Held surveys show that yields improved in a majority of cases but not enough to give comfortable incomes to emerging farmers. During the season 2003-2004, CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development) and the Department of Plant Production and Soil Science of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria conducted 20 on farm trials in the Maputaland (KwaZulu Natal), during the season 2003-2004, among small-scale farming communities relying on cotton cropping. Results show that with a minimum amount of fertilizer commonly found on the market, yields can increase by an average of 20% of the control if it is managed under optimal pest control. Fertilization costs are easily recovered and the out yield gives better incomes or helps the farmer to pay back other input costs. (Texte intégral)
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
s.n.
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| Subjects: | F01 - Culture des plantes, Gossypium, système de culture, plante transgénique, expérimentation au champ, fertilisation, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3335, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1971, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_27619, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33990, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_10795, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7252, |
| Online Access: | http://agritrop.cirad.fr/527130/ |
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