Effets des modes de gestion des résidus du bananier et d’options de fumure minérale sur le rendement du maïs et les caractéristiques chimiques du sol dans un système de rotation bananier /maïs à l’Ouest du Burkina Faso

Au Burkina Faso, le recyclage des résidus de culture constitue un défi pour l’amélioration de la productivité des systèmes de production agricole. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer les effets de la gestion des résidus du bananier (Musa acuminata C.) et de la fumure minérale sur les caractéristiques chimiques du sol et le rendement du maïs (Zea mays L.). Un essai en split-plot avec quatre répétitions comparant quatre modes de gestion des résidus du bananier et quatre options de fumure minérale a été conduit en culture pluviale et en culture irriguée. Les rendements grains du maïs ont augmenté de 24 à 66,2% avec le paillage et l’enfouissement de résidus par rapport au brûlage et au ramassage. Le pH, le carbone total, l’azote total et le potassium disponible du sol ont été améliorés par le paillage, l’enfouissement et le brûlage des résidus comparativement au ramassage. L’utilisation combinée des résidus et des engrais a permis un accroissement significatif des rendements. Cependant, elle a induit une baisse du pH et du potassium total du sol comparativement au témoin. L’étude a montré l’intérêt du paillage et de l’enfouissement des résidus du bananier combiné avec la fumure azotée pour améliorer les rendements de maïs. English title: The effects of banana tree residues managements and mineral fertilizers use options on soil chemical properties and maize yield in a banana tree / maize rotation system in western Burkina Faso In Burkina Faso, the recycling of crop residues for improving the productivity of cropping systems is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the management of banana tree (Musa acuminata C.) residues and mineral fertilizers on both soil chemical characteristics and the yield of maize (Zea mays L.). A split-plot trial with four repetitions comparing four management types of banana tree residues (mulching, burying, burning and exporting) and four application options of mineral fertilizers was conducted in rain-fed and irrigated cropping systems. The results revealed that the maize grain yield increased by 24 to 66.2% with mulching and burying residues (green manure) compared to burning or exporting the banana tree residues. Soil pH, total carbon and nitrogen as well as available potassium were improved by the mulching, burying and burning compared to exporting the banana tree residues. The combined use of the residues and mineral fertilizers significantly improved the maize yield. However, it caused a decrease in the soil pH and total potassium compared to the control treatment. The study demonstrated that mulching and burying banana tree residues in combination with mineral fertilizer improves maize yield

Impact of Jatropha plantation on soil chemical and biological properties in the South Sudanian region in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, about 100,000 ha of Jatropha were planted during the past 10 years. Despite this enthusiasm, few results exist on the impact of the plant on soil properties. This study contributes to better knowledge of Jatropha farming and was carried out in 2013 with Jatropha farmers in Torokoro and Tin villages in the south Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso (rainfall 900-1200 mm). Data collection plots of 400 m2 repeated 3 times were installed in 3 farmers’ fields in each village. Soil samples were collected at 3 distances (D0= under the crown, D1= 1m and D2= 2m) from the Jatropha trees lines and in a fallow as a control sample for each field. The results showed significant differences between distances for soil pH. Soil nutrients increase with distance from the crown (from 9.33% to 12.20%) for available phosphorus in Torokoro-6 years and decrease from 22.45% to 23.71% in Torokoro-2 years). Soil respiration and microbial biomass decreases also with distance. The density of spores of mycorrhizal fungi is higher for the control soils (14.64%) and it decreases from crown to 2m (from 2.22% to 9.53% in Tin-2 years). The study showed the contribution of Jatropha trees on soil fertility improvement.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Jatropha, soil biology, microbial biomass, carbon, nitrogen, Burkina Fas

DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FACTORS REDUCING THE STORAGE CAPACITY OF THE TOUKOMTORE DAM IN BURKINA FASO

The Toukomtore dam in Burkina Faso was built as a road embankment to meet the water needs of the populations of the commune of Koubri. The dam's watershed is not immune to the various climatic and anthropogenic pressures that have caused it to fill up. The objective of this study is to identify the sources of sediment supply to the dam. To do this, the study relies on documentary research, individual interviews with agents of the deconcentrated technical services of the State and users as well as field observations. The results of the study reveal that the sediments in the dam basin come from intense gullying areas, bare areas, bank erosion, market gardening plots and local drains, but also from aggregate extraction sites and brick factories. The results also show that the basin of the dam has lost its initial capacity of reception due to the phenomenon of filling. These results provide indicative elements on the potential origin of the sediments of the dam and are useful for the implementation of the recommendations that have been formulated