Vegetation improvement and soil biological quality in the Sahel of Burkina Faso

Soil living environment contains macro-fauna that play important role in the soil structure and chemical composition, the degradation process of organic matter and in the resilience of ecosystems. Few studies evaluated the impact of the “re-greening” trend observed in the Sahel on soil biological quality. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the “re-greening” of the Sahel on soil macro-fauna population and diversity. The method of Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) was used to assess macro-fauna abundance and diversity in different land use types (cropland, shallow land, degraded land and forest). Four sites were selected, in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, with contrasted Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). In each site, four repetitions were taken for each land use type. In total, 64 plots samples were used to assess the abundance of macro-fauna. Results showed that there were more individuals (64.92%) and higher macro-fauna density in re-greening zones compared to the degrading zones. There was dominance of Arthropoda phylum (60.85%), Insecta class (59.03%) and Isoptera order (46.97%) in macro-fauna population. There were more species in the shallow land and cropland in re-greening zones and all trophic groups are represented in all sites. Despite this abundance, composition and diversity, it was observed that the re-greening processes have not significantly improved soil biological quality. It is concluded that vegetation improvement might be at the beginning stage in the Sahel, especially in croplands, and clear change of soil biological quality is not perceptible but may be tangible in the future.Keywords: Macro-fauna, ecosystem, soil quality, re-greening, degradation

Bio-composting oil palm waste for improvement of soil fertility

Sources of bio-compost as agro-industrial wastes includes wide range of oil palm wastes viz. waste, biomass, palm kernels, empty fruit bunch, mill effluent, trunk and frond compost. Various composting processes are summarized in brief with distinct reference of oil–palm composting covering aerated static pile, and co-composting with earthworms (vermicomposting). However, in-vessel composting and windrow composting has meritorious advantages in composting. This review article refers to various significant roles played by microorganisms associated. Noteworthy study of bio-compost applications and procedures are correspondingly glosses framework of ecological, economical and agro-ecosystemic benefits

Maraichage urbain et semi-urbain de Moringa oleifera Lam. par des associations de femmes au Burkina Faso : contraintes et opportunités

Une enquête a été menée en 2014 dans la région du Centre au Burkina Faso et avait pour objectif de décrire les systèmes de cultures maraichères intégrant Moringa oleifera, un arbre légume dans le maraîchage urbain et périurbain de Ouagadougou en vue de ressortir les contraintes et les potentialités. Au total, 59 femmes membres de trois associations féminines pratiquant les cultures maraîchères de M. oleifera ont été identifiées à Ouagadougou (Nabonswendé), Loumbila (Pan-Nafa) et Komsilga (association Zemstaaba). Les résultats obtenus montrent que M. oleifera est produit en association avec principalement la laitue (58 % des planches) et sous forme de monoculture (42 % des planches). Les opportunités de cultiver cette plante par les associations de femmes sont essentiellement de disposer de feuilles fraiches riches en éléments nutritifs en saison sèche au moment où elles sont rares, d’avoir des revenus monétaires pendant les saisons sèches, d’être des actrices clés de la filière Moringa au Burkina Faso. Les problèmes qu’elles rencontrent sont liés à la non-maitrise des techniques de production en planches par plus de 80 % de femmes membres des trois associations, à la non-accessibilité aux facteurs de productions et avec des techniques de commercialisation des produits toujours rudimentaires. À cet effet, le renforcement des capacités techniques des productrices et l’accompagnement technique des systèmes de collecte et de distribution de semences viables, de qualité pour elles et par elles-mêmes, pourraient constituer une grande valeur économique et stratégique pour les petites productrices en milieux urbain et semi urbain du Burkina Faso. Cette étude constitue un point de départ pour un suivi plus approfondi de cette activité génératrice de revenus pour ces femmes démunies.A survey was conducted in 2014 to describe the constraints and opportunities of Moringa oleifera in the urban and suburban market gardening systems of Burkina Faso. A total of 59 women producing M. oleifera in vegetable gardening were identified in women associations of Ouagadougou (Nabonswende), Loumbila (Pan-Nafa), and Komsilga (Zemstaaba association). The results showed that 58 % of women produced M. oleifera in association with lettuce plants and 42 % in monoculture in urban and sub urban areas. The opportunities to grow this plant by women's associations are primarily to have fresh nutrient-rich leaves during the dry season when they are rare, to have cash income during dry seasons, to be key actresses of Moringa sector in Burkina Faso through the organization of a seed distribution system between private producers. The problems they face are related to the non-mastery of cultivation practices by more than 80 %, the non-access to factors of production, and the products marketing are still rudimentary. To this end, the strengthening of producing technical building and technical support systems for collecting and distribution of viable seed quality for themselves could constitute a great economic and strategic value for small producers in urban and semi urban areas of Burkina Faso. The study gave an overview of this new vegetable speculation among illiterate women without fixed income in Burkina Faso's central region. It is a starting point for further monitoring of this income generating activity for women

Perception locale de la dynamique du peuplement ligneux des vingt dernières années au Sahel burkinabé

West African Sahel suffered negative narrations about its environmental dynamic since the 1970s drought. Many conducted researches were mainly based on drivers and impacts of ecosystems degradation. Despite some ethno-botanic studies on environment dynamic in the Sahel area of Burkina Faso, there is a gap of knowledge on farmers’ perceptions. Using a survey of 194 household, this study analyzes the perceptions of woody vegetation dynamic by farmers in three villages sites located in the sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. In general, results show that the majority of household perceive land cover degradation. Some of the respondents reported an increasing of vegetation cover with a statistically significant difference among the three study sites. Based on these results it is important to take into account individual perceptions to support the sustainability of the natural resources conservation and management

Structure, composition spécifique et diversité des ligneux dans deux zones contrastées en zone Sahélienne du Burkina Faso

Cette étude menée au Sahel burkinabé fait l’état actuel de la végétation ligneuse de cette région afin d’établir le lien entre la réalité du terrain et les observations satellitaires dans deux sites dans chacune des deux zones contrastées, l’une présentant un certain taux de reverdissement et l’autre de dégradation. Elle analyse aussi la composition spécifique, la structure, la diversité des ligneux et les similitudes entre les quatre sites (deux sites par deux zones). L’étude a utilisé une méthode d’échantillonnage stratifiée aléatoire analysant 104 placettes de 20 x 20 m². L’analyse statistique a montré des différences significatives de la densité, du nombre d’espèces, de la classe des hauteurs, de la classe des diamètres et des indices de Simpson et Shannon entre les deux zones. Les valeurs les plus importantes ont été observées dans la zone en reverdissement. Nous avons noté aussi une différence significative de la densité, des diamètres et des hauteurs en fonction de l’occupation des terres. Les champs de la zone en reverdissement possèdent les valeurs les plus importantes de densité et des hauteurs, mais ont les diamètres les moins élevés. Le reverdissement au Sahel est donc plus apparent dans les champs.This study conducted in the Sahel of Burkina Faso presents the current state of woody vegetation in this region so as to establish the link between the reality on the ground and satellite observations in two sites within each of the two contrasted zones ; one presenting a certain rate of re-greening and the other of degradation. It also analyzes the specific composition, the structure, ligneous diversity and the similarities between four sites (two sites by two zones). The study used a stratified random sampling method analyzing 104 plots of 20 x 20 sqm. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in density, number of species, height class, diameter class and Simpson and Shannon indices between the two zones. The highest values were observed in the re-greening zone. We also noted a significant difference in density, diameters and heights according to land use. The fields in the re-greening zone have the highest values of density and height, but the lowest diameters. The re-greening in the Sahel is more apparent in the fields

Structure, composition spécifique et diversité des ligneux dans deux zones contrastées en zone Sahélienne du Burkina Faso

This study conducted in the Sahel of Burkina Faso presents the current state of woody vegetation in this region so as to establish the link between the reality on the ground and satellite observations in two sites within each of the two contrasted zones ; one presenting a certain rate of re-greening and the other of degradation. It also analyzes the specific composition, the structure, ligneous diversity and the similarities between four sites (two sites by two zones). The study used a stratified random sampling method analyzing 104 plots of 20 x 20 sqm. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in density, number of species, height class, diameter class and Simpson and Shannon indices between the two zones. The highest values were observed in the re-greening zone. We also noted a significant difference in density, diameters and heights according to land use. The fields in the re-greening zone have the highest values of density and height, but the lowest diameters. The re-greening in the Sahel is more apparent in the fields