Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Techniques on Soil Properties under Degraded Lands in Burkina Faso
François Wenemi Kagambèga, Salifou Traoré, Adjima Thiombiano, Anne Mette Lykke, Joseph Issaka Boussim

Abstract
Land degradation is a major issue in the West African Sahel for human livelihoods. A better understanding of soil and water conservation practices‟ effects on soil nutrients is necessary for their further development. A study was conducted on encrusted sealed bare Luvisols in Central and Northern Burkina Faso to assess the effects of half-moon (HM), sub-soil tillage (ST) and zaï system (Zaï) on soil physical, chemical and biological proprieties. Soil texture was significantly affected by techniques resulting in fines particles particularly in HM system and in ST in a lesser extend. HM technique followed by ST and Zaï, contribute significantly to enhance total organic carbon, total nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and soil pH as well as soil microbial biomass and basal respiration. Soil microbial biomass and basal respiration were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with clay fraction, Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), total N, pH and calcium. These results suggest that the techniques alter soil nutrient and that SOC, pH and phosphorus are mitigating factors that affect the microbial activities. Among the studied techniques, HM system proved to be better in terms of enhancing soil proprieties. Therefore, it may serve as a useful and inexpensive approach to rapidly reclaim degraded soils.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v6n2a8