Seedball Blog
With this blog, we are going to inform you about progress with respect to the seedball technology.
At the same time we would like to ask you for your input.
Do you have any experience with seedballs? What composition or what additive is useful?
Please send us your comments to: c.nwankwo@uni-hohenheim.de
In laboratory trials the seedball technology was successfully transferred to sorghum. Sorghum seedballs need to be a little bit larger in diameter but can contain slightly higher amounts of fertiliser additives. In 2021 first large scale field trials are running in Niger. For further information:
https://jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/202102113204
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MICRO-TOMOGRAPHY REVEALS MECHANISMS BEHIND SEEDBALL SUCCESS
12.03.2020
Laboratory investigations based on micro-tomography revealed that seedballs do provide a good environment for root growth. During the germination phase roots accumulate in the seedball matrix. As the seedballs release nutrients to the environment upon continuous wettening, the roots try to capture these and grow also outside of the seedball diameter. The tomography clearly shows the higher density of fine roots in and around the seedballs.
12.03.2020
For the full scientific paper see:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jpln.201800059
Microtomographic image of the root distribution in and around seedballs:
In the center the seedball is visible. In red, the fine roots within the seedball. In blue, medium size roots exploring the surroundings.
In the center the seedball is visible. In red, the fine roots within the seedball. In blue, medium size roots exploring the surroundings.
Scatter diagram showing on-farm panicle yield comparisons (seedball vs. local control).
The black one is the 1:1 line
(seedball treatment equals local control). 86% of the trials showed a positive impact of the seedball tech-nology. In consequence, hardly any risk is connected to its application.
The black one is the 1:1 line
(seedball treatment equals local control). 86% of the trials showed a positive impact of the seedball tech-nology. In consequence, hardly any risk is connected to its application.
SEEDBALLS - WHY?
07.10.2014
A pertinent question is: Why should one invest in seedball research?
07.10.2014
Here is our answer:
First of all, seedballs represent a simple technology. This is one important pre-requisite for adoption in subsistence farming with little investment capabilities. Nevertheless, the technology offers options for mechanisation and adaptation to existing mechanised sowing as it is practiced in Senegal.
Seedballs are a gender-sensitive technology. Optimized for mechanized sowing (small diameter) they serve male agriculturists. With greater diameter they can support female farmers that rely on non-cash input resources. These are in the case of seedballs simply soil material, low amounts of seeds, water, and as nutrient input wood ash, that women produce in their own kitchen.
The technology can be adapted to local conditions. All basic ingredients and many additives are locally available: Sand, loam, water, wood ash, charcoal, manure.
If optimized, seedballs can have positive impacts on the cropping system by:
- 1. Protecting seeds against predators in the case of dry sowing.
- 2. Germination of seeds only under sufficient rainfall in the case of dry sowing.
- 3. Better early vigour of pearl millet through nutrient addition (especially P).
- 4. Better resistance to early drought through better K-delivery and consequent higher water use efficiency and osmotic regulation.
- 5. Potential for upgrading in higher intensity farming systems through pesticide addition.
However, an open question is workload. Seedballs can be produced in the dry season, when workload is comparably lower. However a ha of pearl millet needs approximately 10,000 seedballs. This means that feasibility is depending on simple mechanisation.
You have an idea? Please let us know under: c.nwankwo@uni-hohenheim.de
Seedballs are one option to improve the pearl millet based farming systems in the Sahel at a very critical stage: germination and early plant growth.
At this stage the potential crop performance is determined!
At this stage the potential crop performance is determined!