Mulching
Mulching the rows with fresh or dry organic matter (green plant waste) helps limit the need for water and weeding,
reduces soil erosion and provides additional nutrients.
Use any type of straw, tops, grasses, cereal crop residues, cut or crushed corn plants, decomposed palm oil leaves… Avoid woody material that attracts termites. Favour local reclaimed products!
(See Guide AGRISUD [2] p 143 to 144 – Mulching).
For example, citronella can be pruned every 15 or 21 days to produce the necessary mulch.
In Togo, RCW (Ramial Chipped Wood) gave good results with rice straw, palm branches, young green branches of Moringa and Neem.
A system of cultivation on plant cover or using cover plants can also be considered (see Guide AGRISUD [2] p 197 to 207).