Evaluation of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices for Corn Production: A Case Study from DR–Congo.

Farmers in the province of Kasai in DR – Congo face problems of crop yields attributed in part to soil fertility decline, especially soil nitrogen (N). The overall goal was to increase and sustain crop productivity that would ultimately improve food security. The main objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of leguminous plants and other fertilization regimens in improving crop productivity. The first phase of this research was carried out under on-station and on –farm environment. The soil fertility enhancement technologies include: mulching with Tithonia diversifolia, Sylosanthes spp., and Entadiopsis abyssinica plant residues. Mineral fertilization and no fertilization were used as reference treatments. Different crop mixtures were also compared. Corn was intercropped with peanut, cowpea, or soybean. The experimental plots were managed by the scientist and institutional staff. The performance of the different treatments was evaluated based on plant growth, days to heading and grain yield. Organic treatments (mulching) with E. abyssinica and T. diversifolia were the most cost efficient technique of increasing corn production. These treatments resulted in similar yield than mineral fertilizers and outperformed the control and the Stylosantes treatment. Corn mixture with leguminous species improved significantly plant development and yield compared to sole cropping. In the second phase of the research, participatory evaluation of these treatments led by smallholder farm will be carried out in community fields.