Variations in soil properties along three toposequences in Burkina Faso and implications for the development of improved cropping systems

Conservation agriculture (CA) including reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is known to be a self–sustainable system as well as an alternative to residue burning. The present study evaluated the effect of reduced tillage coupled with residue retention under different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields in a Vertisol of a semiarid region of central India. Two tillage systems – conventional tillage (CT) with residue removed, and reduced tillage (RT) with residue retained – and six major cropping systems of this region were examined after 3 years of experimentation. Results demonstrated that soil moisture content, mean weight diameter, percent water stable aggregates (>0.25mm) for the 0–15cm soil layer were significantly (Pmoderately labile>less labile. At the 0–15cm depth, the contributions of moderately labile, less labile and non-labile C fractions to total organic C were 39.3%, 10.3% and 50.4% respectively in RT and corresponding values for CT were 38.9%, 11.7% and 49.4%. Significant differences in different C fractions were observed between RT and CT. Soil microbial biomass C concentration was significantly higher in RT than CT at 0–15cm depth. The maize–chickpea cropping system had significantly (P–1 followed by soybean+pigeon pea (2:1) intercropping (3.50 t ha–1) and soybean–wheat cropping systems (2.97 t ha–1). Thus, CA practices could be sustainable management practices for improving soil health and crop yields of rainfed Vertisols in these semiarid regions.

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Correlations between nematode numbers, chemical and physical soil properties, and soybean yield under different cropping systems

Rhizosphere ◽

10.1016/j.rhisph.2021.100386 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100386

Author(s):

Cláudia Regina Dias-Arieira ◽

Fernando Júnior Ceccato ◽

Erick Zobiole Marinelli ◽

Jorge Luiz Boregio Vecchi ◽

Giovani de Oliveira Arieira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soybean Yield

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Cropping Systems and Soil Properties

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj1947.036159950011000c0016x ◽

1947 ◽

Vol 11 (C) ◽

pp. 81-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

J. B. Page ◽

C. J. Willard

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Cropping Systems

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Changes in soil properties under high- and low-input cropping systems in Lithuania

Soil Use and Management ◽

10.1079/sum2003209 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 291-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Bu˘ienė ◽

A. ˘lepetienė ◽

D. ˘imanskaitė ◽

A. Svirskienė ◽

B. Butkutė

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Low Input ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

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Cropping System Effects on Soil Monosaccharides in Western Burkina Faso

Journal of Agricultural Studies ◽

10.5296/jas.v5i4.11985 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Badiori Ouattara ◽

Idriss Sermé ◽

Korodjouma Ouattara ◽

Michel P Sédogo ◽

Hassan Bismark Nacro

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Aggregates ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Cropping System ◽

Total Sugar Content ◽

Fallow Lands ◽

Western Burkina Faso

Labile pools of soil organic matter (SOM), including soil sugars, are important to the formation and stabilization of soil aggregates and to microbial activity and nutrient cycling. The effects of cropping systems at farm level in tropical areas on SOM labile pool dynamics have not been adequately studied and the results are sparse and inconsistent. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soil management intensity on soil sugar monomers derived from plant debris or microbial activity in cotton (Gossypium herbaceum)-based cropping systems of western Burkina Faso. Thirty-three (33) plots were sampled at 0-15 cm soil depth considering field-fallow successions and tillage intensity. Two pentose (arabinose, xylose) and four hexose (glucose, galactose, mannose, glucosamine) monomers accounted for 2 to 18% of soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Total sugar content was significantly less with tillage, especially for the hexose monomeric sugars glucose and mannose, the latter of microbial origin. Soil mannose was 63 and 80% less after 10 years of cultivation, without and with annual ploughing respectively, compared with fallow conditions. Soil monosaccharide content was rapidly restored with fallow and soon approached the equilibrium level observed under old fallow lands. Therefore, the soil monosaccharides, in particular galactose and mannose from microbial synthesis are early indicators of changes in SOC.

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