Effect of production system on leaf productivity and growth of Corchorus spp. in Niger

Abstract Knowledge and mastery of technical production routes, as well as the conservation of seeds and underutilized species, are major challenges faced by Sahelian countries to ensure high productivity and value in order to address food security. A field experiment was conducted during two years (2020 and 2021) in rainfall seasons in Zinder (Latitude N16°30’and Longitude E7°30'). The aim is to determine the best recolte strategy by assessing the effect of production system on leaf productivity and the growth of Corchorus spp. in order to identify the betters production and recolte method for famers. Two production systems (Nursery or Board) and some harvesting technics (Scraping or Cut) were evaluated on three species of the genus Corchorus and one variety of C. olitorius. An experimental design in factorial blocks with four blocks, four variants (species) and three repetitions per block was used. The data collected were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a comparison of means using Tukey test. Person's correlation test and principal component analysis (PCA) analyses were also carried out in order to highlight the relationship that exists between the variables and the species tested. The results showed that scraping every three weeks is the best technique that allowed to harvest more leaf biomass. The species C. fascicularis and C. olitorius olitorius were respectively more productive leaf biomass (0.52 t/ha, 0.60t/ha) while the productions to the species were for C. olitorius (0.46 t/ha) and C. tridens (0.47 t/ha). The yield leaf biomass was optimized according to the method of scraping every two weeks. Productivity in the board had given a higher yield than that carried out in the nursery for all species evaluated. For maximum yield in leaf biomass, the farmers can use the production system in the board and apply the scraping technique.