Shrub Could Help Fight Hunger in Africa.

PositionDROUGHT-RESISTANT PLANTS

A ubiquitous native shrub that persists in the toughest of growing conditions could be the key to boosting crops in drought-prone, food-insecure areas of West Africa. Growing these shrubs side-by-side with the food crop millet increased millet production by more than 900%, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science.

The study found that certain woody shrubs--notably one called Guiera, after the Latin name Guiera senegalensis--effectively can share its water with millet plants below the surface of the soil. Millet, a grain crop, along with sorghum, is an essential food source in Senegal.

Soil scientist Richard Dick and his research team have developed a crop management technique they call the "optimized shrub system" that takes advantage of these readily available bushes. Their approach involves the dramatic increase of shrub density in farmers' fields from fewer than 300 per hectare (about 2.5 acres) to 1,500 on that same plot of land. Their system also includes fertilizing the ground with the shrub leaves and stems rather than burning this organic matter, as has been done in the past.

Along with a dramatic increase in...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT