TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of cultivation practices on spatial variation of soil fertility and millet yields in the Sahel of Mali
AU - Samaké, O.
AU - Smaling, E.M.A.
AU - Kropff, M.J.
AU - Stomph, T.J.
AU - Kodio, A.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - The article provides a quantitative analysis of temporal variation in fallow characteristics, and spatial variation in fallow distribution, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) yield and soil fertility in three villages in the Bankass area in Sahelian Mali. Plots of 5 m × 5 m along four transects were installed at 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 m from the edge of the village compounds to the outer boundary of the village territory. We found that currently, fallow is practiced only in ‘bushfields’, which are further than 200 m away from the dwellings. Significant increases in the amount of organic C and soil nutrients (N, P and K) were found with increasing fallow duration. This was due to gradual accumulation of organic matter from fallow vegetation and the presence of leguminous species. Soil nutrients and organic C were higher in homefields (
AB - The article provides a quantitative analysis of temporal variation in fallow characteristics, and spatial variation in fallow distribution, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) yield and soil fertility in three villages in the Bankass area in Sahelian Mali. Plots of 5 m × 5 m along four transects were installed at 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 m from the edge of the village compounds to the outer boundary of the village territory. We found that currently, fallow is practiced only in ‘bushfields’, which are further than 200 m away from the dwellings. Significant increases in the amount of organic C and soil nutrients (N, P and K) were found with increasing fallow duration. This was due to gradual accumulation of organic matter from fallow vegetation and the presence of leguminous species. Soil nutrients and organic C were higher in homefields (
KW - nitrogen
U2 - 10.1016/j.agee.2005.02.024
DO - 10.1016/j.agee.2005.02.024
M3 - Article
SN - 0167-8809
VL - 109
SP - 335
EP - 345
JO - Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
JF - Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
IS - 3-4
ER -