Fertility management for cassava production in Centre Cameroon

What is it about?

The effect of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) fertilizer and poultry manure treatments on root yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz).

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Why is it important?

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the most important food crops in Cameroon. It is grown in almost all the ten Regions of Cameroon. Cassava is reputed to be a soil-nutrient depleting crop. Furthermore, soils in sub-Saharan African countries have a low level of inherent fertility. Thus, a minimal amount of nutrient input is required for an acceptable cassava yield although the crop is known to grow and produce on poor soils. Some authors advocate the correction of soil nutrient deficiencies through the use of some fertilizer formulations. However, the majority of cassava farmers neither know of these formulations nor use any other nutrient enhancement technology for cassava production. In addition, the use of fertilizer formulations requires proper soil analysis that only adds to the costs of production of the farmers. A better approach could be to test the effect of available fertilizers on the local market in order to select the most appropriate for cassava cultivation. Several works have already been carried out on the fertilization of cassava in Africa. However, there is a wide heterogeneity across countries in soil physical and chemical

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