s:918:"%T Agronomic and economic evaluation of Tilemsi phosphate rock in different agro ecological zones of Mali. 
%A Bationo A B 
%A Ayuk E T 
%A Ballo D 
%A Kone M 
%X Phosphorus deficiency is known as one of the major constraints to crop production in West Africa. Farmer-managed trials were conducted in three agroecological zones of Mali to evaluate the profitability of Tilemsi phosphate rock (TPR) in different crop-rotation systems in comparison with conventional water-soluble fertilizers. Marginal analyses were used to compare treatments tested. Results show that crop yields using TPR are comparable to those of recommended cotton- or cereal-complex imported fertilizers. The economic evaluation also clearly indicated that direct application of TPR is relatively profitable in comparison with recommended imported fertilizers and that good management enhances the profitability of fertilizers in general. 
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