Technologies

Green manuring with Tithonia [Cameroon]

Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower)

technologies_948 - Cameroon

Completeness: 73%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Scheidegger Urs

Swiss College of Agriculture (SCA)

Switzerland

SLM specialist:

Thomas Fabienne

Swiss College of Agriculture (SCA)

Switzerland

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Application of Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) as green manure

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Tithonia diversifolia hedges grow along roadsides or farm boundaries. The green leaf biomass is very suitable as green manure for annual crops, since the plant has a high content of nitrogen and phosphurus, and decomposes quickly after application to the soil: its nutrients are released within one growing season.

Purpose of the Technology: Tithonia biomass enhances soil organic matter and soil fertility, resulting in higher crop yields. The treatment supplies the crop with nutrients at the early stage of the growing process, and thus improves the establishment of the crops through the early development of a good rooting system. The technology is especially beneficial for maize: yields in the study area increased by over 50%.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: At an early stage of plant growth, fresh green leaves and stems are cut, chopped and applied on the cropland as green manure after the first pass of ridging. The fresh material is spread over the half-made ridges at a ate of 2 kg per m2 and then covered with about 5-10 cm of soil to finish the ridges. Sowing of crop seeds is done only after a week or more, because of heat generation during the decomposition process of the leaves (which could damage the seeds).

Natural / human environment: Tithonia can also be applied as mulch 6 to 8 weeks after planting the crop. Covering the mulch with a little soil facilitates nutrient release. Tithonia green manuring - before planting - and mulching can be combined, which is especially applicable to maize, beans and cabbage cultivation. Tithonia hedgerows have to be cut back regularly; otherwise it can spread fast and become a weed. Interplanting Tithonia in the field is not recommended due to root competition with crops.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Cameroon

Region/ State/ Province:

Akiri

Further specification of location:

North-West Province

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

0.3

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.3 km2.

Another 9 sites in the North-West Province of Cameroon are places where the SWC technology Tithonia diversifolia as green manure was applied

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Tithonia was used in Kenya as green manure. In 1997 a PRTC/Forta/SCA joint research team started to try it in the North-West Province of Cameroon too.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Agroforestry

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • oilseed crops - groundnuts
  • cereals - maize
  • vegetables - leafy vegetables (salads, cabbage, spinach, other)
  • legumes and pulses - beans
  • root/tuber crops - cassava
  • root/tuber crops - sweet potatoes, yams, taro/cocoyam, other
  • tomato
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • banana/plantain/abaca
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • mango, mangosteen, guava
  • papaya
  • coffee
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 200 Longest growing period from month to month: March - Mid-October

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil fertility decline and reduced organic matter content.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil fertility decline

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: very heterogeneous sometimes.
E.g.: Maize/Beans/Yams: Planted in March, harvest in September (Maize), August (Beans), january of the following year (Yams)

Major cash crop: Tomato, cabbage, plantain, banana and mango
Major food crop: Yams, corn, beans, cassava. plantain, banana and mango
Main products/ services: Mango, papaya, coffee/groundnuts, beans

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • agroforestry
  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, green manure

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Green manuring with Tithonia: application good on maize, beans, soybeans, yam, cocoyam, etc.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: increase in soil fertility

Secondary technical functions: increase in organic matter, if planted as living fence prevention of damage by predators

Mulching
Material/ species: Tithonia diversifolia

Green manure
Material/ species: Tithonia diversifolia

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

3.00

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Planter Tithonia en bordure de propriété / champ / route (si elle ne pousse pas déjà naturellement)

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Costs for planting Tithonia along farm/field boundaries and roadsides are not known

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Cut regularly Tithonia: trim hedges in the dry season (December / January) to ensure fresh regrowth to harvest from March to May Dry season (December / January)
2. Harvest the organic matter from the field and place it in the furrows of the last harvest which will become the mounds of the following crop in February February
3. Harvest and chop green leaves and stems of Tithonia March to May
4. Carry the fresh material to the farm and spread it on the half-made mounds and then cover with soil
5. Allow the green manure to decompose at least a week before sowing the crop

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 80.0 80.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 30.0 30.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 110.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 110.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: cutlass, hoe

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour costs are the main factor affecting the costs. Labour inputs depend a lot on transport distance between Tithonia hedge and cropland.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Rainy season mid-March to mid-October

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid

Thermal climate class: subtropics

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: High (ranked 1, usually soil fertility is high but as there is grown more and more, it is declining) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil drainage / infiltration: Medium
Soil water storage capacity: Medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly disadvantaged land users

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

Off-farm income specification: No big difference. Almost all farmers live of their own farm production/depend on it.
Level of mechanization: Manual work (only manual labour, hoe used)

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

More than 50%, especially for maize

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

If the live hedge is planted on the field

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Cheap fertilizers

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Only if applied on cash crops

workload

increased
decreased
Other socio-economic impacts

Uncontrolled entering of livestock into crops

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Live hedge

Socio-cultural impacts

health situation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Medical use of Tithonia (anti-inflammatory effect)

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Improved knowledge of green manure

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved
Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Wind breaker

Other ecological impacts

Soil fertility

decreased
increased

Competition over nutrients

augmenté
en baisse
Comments/ specify:

Through mismanagement: Could lead to concurrence if plant becomes weed ->less yield

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

Comments:

The closer to the field Tithonia is planted, the better is the benefit-cost ratio.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

15 households and 100% of the area covered

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

15 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: In the villages where the OFT had been established the interest of other farmers is big.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
is free of charge
is a good fertilizer
improves yield fast
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
grows in many places

How can they be sustained / enhanced? plant Tirhonia around the field, on land that is less suitable for crops
is (so far) for free

How can they be sustained / enhanced? cheap manure
increases yields significantly

How can they be sustained / enhanced? make sure that it would not get into the field -> manage well

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
can spread as a weed on cropland (if planted close to the fields) and also outside the area where it is used; some farmers consider the plant as poisonous advisory service is important, good information on proper management of Tithonia; regular cutting
Labour-intensive technology (harvest, transport, regular cutting, chopping and spreading) providing/subsidising transport equipment such as wheelbarrows would make transport more effective and time-saving.
might lead to conflicts if too many farmers want to use it clarify user rights; replant Tithonia plants and grow new hedges.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
can spread as a weed on cropland (if planted close to the fields) and also outside the area where it is used; some farmers consider the plant as poisonous advisory service is important, good information on proper management of Tithonia; regular cutting
Labour-intensive technology (harvest, transport, regular cutting, chopping and spreading) providing/subsidising transport equipment such as wheelbarrows would make transport more effective and time-saving.
might lead to conflicts if too many farmers want to use it clarify user rights; replant Tithonia plants and grow new hedges.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

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