The immediate and residual effect of cattle corralling and mineral fertilizer on maize cropping systems in the sub-humid zone of northern Benin: Yields, resource use efficiency, economic profitability, and post-harvest soil fertility

Organic and inorganic fertilization management in intensive cropping systems is essential to ensure long-term crop productivity and sustainability. This study evaluated the immediate and residual effects of cattle corralling combined with mineral fertilizer application on maize cropping systems in northern Benin. A four-year field trial (2012–2015) using a strip-plot design was conducted with four levels of corralling (NM: no manure, C0: immediate effect, C1–C3: one- to three-year residual effects) and three mineral fertilization rates (F0: none, F1: half, F2: full recommended dose). Over the four years, cattle corralling significantly increased the average maize yield from 2.0 t/ha (range: 1.0 – 2.9 t/ha) in NM to 4.0 t/ha (range: 3.4 – 5.1 t/ha) in C0, and the average net profitability from 384 USD/ha (range: 159 – 668 USD/ha) in NM to 1000 USD/ha (range: 792 – 1336 USD/ha) in C0. Water use efficiency (WUE) improved from 3.4 in NM to 6.8 in C0, and soil organic carbon (SOC) increased from 3.0 g/kg to 11.2 g/kg. The residual benefits of corralling declined over time without mineral input (C0 > C1 > C2 > C3 > NM) but were sustained and amplified when combined with mineral fertilizers (C3 > C2 > C1 > C0 > NM). Fertilizer effects were minor in C0 and C1, but became significant in C2 and C3, highlighting positive organic–inorganic synergies. Nutrient recovery efficiency (N, P, K) was initially lower in C0 and C1 but surpassed NM levels from C2 onwards (C3 > C2 > NM ≥ C1 > C0). These findings support an integrated soil fertility strategy combining corralling and optimized fertilizer use as a sustainable intensification pathway for maize production in sub-humid, low-fertility rainfed systems. Future research should examine long-term nutrient cycling, soil biology, and economic risk to refine sustainable management practices.