Pearl millet downy mildew, also known as pearl millet leprosy, green ear disease, or witch’s broom, is caused by the pathogen Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet and is the most devastating disease affecting pearl millet. It can cause grain yield losses of 20 to 40%. The study evaluated the effect of sowing date on pearl millet downy mildew infection at the CERRA in Maradi during the 2025 winter season. The experimental design consisted of a single block repeated three times according to three (3) sowing dates: July 1, 14, and 24, 2025. The spacing between blocks is 2 m. Each block consists of 256 millet plots covering an area of 225 m2. Within each block, five (5) subplots, each consisting of 9 millet plots, are laid out in an X-shaped pattern. The plant material used consisted of a single variety of pearl millet, HKP. At physiological maturity, the incidence, severity, and impact of downy mildew were recorded on the nine (9) plots of each experimental plot, and after harvest, biomass, ear, and grain yields were determined. The results revealed that early-sown crops suffered less from downy mildew, exhibiting the lowest rates of incidence (1.82%), severity (0.9%), and impact (2.22%), compared to 41.67%, 26.11%, and 20.73% for late-sown crops. Furthermore, the highest yields were obtained at the first sowing date, with biomass, ear, and grain yields of 745.4 kg ha⁻1, 673.3 kg ha⁻1, and 442.2 kg ha⁻1 respectively, compared to 483.6 kg ha⁻1, 443.6 kg ha⁻1 and 277.6 kg ha⁻1 on the third sowing date. This study shows that late sowings were subject to greater pressure from downy mildew, causing a considerable decline in yields. Thus, for ecological management of downy mildew in millet, early sowing is recommended.

In Niger, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) ranks first among legumes produced and consumed and third among crops after pearl millet and sorghum. However, its production is compromised by numerous diseases and insect pests. The use of synthetic pesticides is the first control method used by producers against insect pest. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of biopesticides based on neem almond powder (T3) and ripe chili pepper fruits (T2) on cowpea insect pests in order to lower the costs associated with phytosanitary treatments and increase the yield of this crop. A total of five (5) applications were made at regular intervals of one week. Before each application, scouting was conducted to capture the count the insects in order to determine the incidence of these insects on the cowpea. The incidence of insect pests was 75.81% and 87.52% at the 3rd and 5th counts for the control (T1). On the other hand, it was 42.38% and 19.73% for the T2 treatment and 27.07% and 12.33% for the T3 treatment respectively at the 3rd and 5th counts. Similarly, the seed yield was increased after application of biopesticides. It was 387.67 kg/ha and 832.67 kg/ha respectively for T2 and T3 against 341.67 kg/ha for the control. During the present study, the biopesticide based on neem almond powder was more efficace than that based on ripe chilli pepper fruits.

A Sahelian country, Niger has an arid climate. Socioeconomic development is essentially based on agriculture. This activity employs more than 80% of the working population in rural areas. Unfortunately, it is hampered by the scarcity and irregularity of water leading to a drop in crop yields and a risk of food insecurity. In this context, irrigation has established itself as an essential path for the sustainable development of agriculture in Niger. The objective of this study is the tensiometric monitoring of the evolution of soil water reserve. To achieve this objective, a device aimed at determining the reading on the tensiometer from which it is necessary to trigger the irrigation so that the crop does not suffer from water deficit, is installed on a clayey-sandy soil in the market gardening site of Birni N'Konni. The results led to the conclusion that the water supply is renewed each time the voltages observed are between 16 and 22 centibars. It should be noted that 24 hours after adding water, the voltages are between 05 and 06 centibars.

Pearl millet is the first cereal produced and consumed in Niger. However, its production hampered by several types of constraints including pearl millet downy mildew. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of variety + mineral fertilizer and variety + seed treatment combinations for the integrated management of pearl millet downy mildew. A Split-split-plot device with three factors (variety, mineral fertilizer and fungicide) is used. Data on the incidence and the severity of downy mildew are collected and analyzed. The incidence of the disease reached 8.13 ± 2.24% and 5.24 ± 1.69% after application of 2 g of DAP and 6 g of N15P15K15 per packet respectively compared with 12.41 ± 2.43% for the control. The application of N15P15K15 has more effect with ICRI-Tabi and that of DAP with ICMV-IS 89305. The severity of the disease went from 9.65% for the control at 5.27% after treatment of seeds with Apron Star42W.This effect is more remarkable at the level of HKP and ICRI-Tabi. The study has shown that the application of mineral fertilizer to seedlings reduces the infection of pearl millet downy mildew. In addition, N15P15K15 has more effect than DAP. Likewise, seed treatment with Apron Star42W significantly reduces the attack of the disease.