This study assesses the extent of soil degradation in the western cotton-farming region of Burkina Faso, aiming to provide essential insights to support sustainable land management efforts and to guide future research on soil fertility restoration strategies. A total of 32 soil samples were collected along a transect designed according to the physiographic units and land use: protected forests, croplands, and pasturelands. Soil physico-chemical analyses were conducted to determine Organic Matter content (OM), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), acidity (pHH2O) and soil texture. Spatial distribution of these parameters was mapped using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method. Additionally, soil degradation was assessed with a synthetic Soil Degradation Index (SDI). The impact of land use patterns and topography on soil fertility was analysed through the SDI and linear regression, respectively. Results indicate that over 95% of soils had OM levels below 2% and CEC values were predominantly low to very low. Moreover, more than 55% of soils were strongly acidic and nutrient levels were low in over 70% of soils. Soil texture was dominated by sandy fractions, ranging from 27% to 80%, showing a positive correlation with slope. In ferruginous soils located on steep slopes, degradation levels ranged from moderate (81% of the soils) to severe (19%). In croplands and pasturelands, key soil parameters, such as C, N, K and CEC, were approximately 20% lower than in forest lands, although there was a slight increase in sand and P content. This finding highlights the alarming degradation of soil under agricultural and grazing pressure and emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable soil fertility management strategies to preserve and enhance soil productivity.
References
[1]
Adebiyi, K.D., Maiga-Yaleu, S., Issaka, K., Ayena, M. and Yabi, J.A. (2019) Déterminants de l’adoption des bonnes pratiques de gestion durable des terres dans un contexte de changement climatique au Nord Bénin: Cas de la fumure organique. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 13, 998-1010. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v13i2.34
[2]
Hugon, P. (2002) L’agriculture en Afrique sub-saharienne: Enjeux et perspectives. Oléagineux, Corps Gras, Lipides, 9, 409-415. https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl.2002.0409
[3]
Kihara, J., Mkiza, M., Mutambu, D., Kinyua, M., Mwangi, O., Bolo, P., et al. (2023) Soil Health Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: Status and Solutions. Growing Africa, 2, 16-22. https://doi.org/10.55693/ga21.eaqg1636
[4]
Zingore, S., Mutegi, J., Agesa, B., Tamene, L. and Kihara, J. (2015) Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa and Crop Production Options for Soil Rehabilitation.
[5]
Hounkpatin, K.O.L., Welp, G., Akponikpè, P.B.I., Rosendahl, I. and Amelung, W. (2018) Carbon Losses from Prolonged Arable Cropping of Plinthosols in Southwest Burkina Faso. Soil and Tillage Research, 175, 51-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2017.08.014
[6]
FAO/ITPS (2015) État des Ressources en Sols Du Monde—Résumé Technique.
[7]
MAAH (2018) Situation de Référence des Terres Dégradées et de La CES Au Burkina Faso.
[8]
Traoré, M., Koulibaly B., Pousga S., et al. (2019) Variation of Carbon and Major Nutrients Contents in Two Types of Soil under Stone Bunds Management in Cotton-Based Cropping Systems in the Sudanese Zone of Burkina Faso. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 4, 1896-1904. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.46.40
[9]
Dipama, J. (2011) Les risques de dégradation des écosystèmes liés à la culture du coton au Burkina Faso: Le cas du parc national de Pô. Revue de l’Université de Moncton, 40, 29-52. https://doi.org/10.7202/1001387ar
[10]
Sawadogo, B. (2021) Document de Politique Générale No. 751. 2-11.
[11]
Sakandé, F., Traoré, M., Koulibaly, B., Lankoandé, F.Y., Paré, T. and Nacro, B.H. (2022) Perception Locale de La Dégradation Des Sols et Pratiques de Réhabilitation Dans La Zone Cotonnière Ouest Du Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 16, 2190-2201.
[12]
Traore, O., Some, A.N., Traore, K. and Somda, K. (2007) Effect of Land Use Changes on Some Important Soil Properties in Cotton Based Farming Systems in Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 1, 7-14. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v1i1.39692
[13]
Koulibaly, B., Traore, O., Dakuo, D., Lalsaga, R., Lompo, F. and Zombre, P. (2015) Acidification des sols ferrugineux et ferrallitiques dans les systèmes de production cotonnière au Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 8, Article No. 2879. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v8i6.44
[14]
Brabant, P. (2010) Une Méthode d’évaluation et de Cartographie de La Dégradation des Terres.
[15]
FAO (2006) FAO Guidelines for Soil Description.
[16]
Walkley, A. and Black, I.A. (1934) An Examination of the Degtjareff Method for Determining Soil Organic Matter, and a Proposed Modification of the Chromic Acid Titration Method. Soil Science, 37, 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003
[17]
Conyers, M.K. and Davey, B.G. (1988) Observations on Some Routine Methods for Soil pH Determination. Soil Science, 145, 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-198801000-00004
[18]
Kjeldahl, J. (1883) New Method for the Determination of Nitrogen. Chemistry News, 48, 101-102.
[19]
Bray, R.H. and Kurtz, L.T. (1945) Determination of Total, Organic, and Available Forms of Phosphorus in Soils. Soil Science, 59, 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006
[20]
Bunasols (1989) Manuel Pour l’évaluation Des Terres.
[21]
R Core Team (2024) R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing.
[22]
QGIS Development Team (2024) QGIS Geographic Information System.
[23]
Shepard, D. (1968) A Two-Dimensional Interpolation Function for Irregularly-Spaced Data. Proceedings of the 1968 23rd ACM National Conference, New York, 27-29 August 1968, 517-524. https://doi.org/10.1145/800186.810616
[24]
Mueller, T.G., Pusuluri, N.B., Mathias, K.K., Cornelius, P.L., Barnhisel, R.I. and Shearer, S.A. (2004) Map Quality for Ordinary Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 68, 2042-2047. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2004.2042
[25]
Barbulescu, A., Bautu, A. and Bautu, E. (2020) Optimizing Inverse Distance Weighting with Particle Swarm Optimization. Applied Sciences, 10, Article No. 2054. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10062054
[26]
Xu, X., Yu, H., Zheng, G., Zhang, H. and Xi, L. (2016) The Soil Nutrient Spatial Interpolation Algorithm Based on KNN and IDW. In: Li, D.L. and Li, Z.B., Eds., Computer and Computing Technologies in Agriculture IX, Springer International Publishing, 412-424. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48357-3_40
[27]
Tiruneh, G.A., Alemayehu, T.Y., Allouche, F.K. and Reichert, J.M. (2021) Spatial Variability Modeling of Soil Fertility for Improved Nutrient Management in Northwest Ethiopia. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 14, Article No. 2797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08814-5
[28]
Kome, G.K., Enang, R.K. and Yerima, B.P.K. (2018) Knowledge and Management of Soil Fertility by Farmers in Western Cameroon. Geoderma Regional, 13, 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2018.02.001
[29]
Zahedifar, M. (2023) Assessing Alteration of Soil Quality, Degradation, and Resistance Indices under Different Land Uses through Network and Factor Analysis. Catena, 222, Article ID: 106807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2022.106807
[30]
Fageria, N.K. (2012) Role of Soil Organic Matter in Maintaining Sustainability of Cropping Systems. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 43, 2063-2113. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2012.697234
[31]
Jahel, C., Baron, C., Vall, E., Karambiri, M., Castets, M., Coulibaly, K., et al. (2017) Spatial Modelling of Agro-Ecosystem Dynamics across Scales: A Case in the Cotton Region of West-Burkina Faso. Agricultural Systems, 157, 303-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.05.016
[32]
Pouya, M., Bonzi, M., Gnankambary, Z., Koulinaly, B., Ouedraogo, I., Ouedraogo, J., et al. (2013) Perception paysanne et impact agro-pédologique du niveau de mécanisation agricole dans les zones cotonnières Centre et Ouest du Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 7, 489-506. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v7i2.7
[33]
Ouattara, K., Ouattara, B., Nyberg, G., Sédogo, M.P. and Malmer, A. (2007) Effects of Ploughing Frequency and Compost on Soil Aggregate Stability in a Cotton-Maize (Gossypium hirsutum-Zea mays) Rotation in Burkina Faso. Soil Use and Management, 24, 19-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.2007.00129.x
[34]
Koulibaly, B., Traore, O., Dakuo, D., Zombré, P.N. and Bondé, D. (2010) Effets de La Gestion des Résidus de Récolte Sur Les Rendements et Les Bilans Culturaux d’une Rotation Cotonnier-Maïs-Sorgho Au Burkina Faso. Tropicultura, 28, 184-189.
[35]
Maillard, É. and Angers, D.A. (2013) Animal Manure Application and Soil Organic Carbon Stocks: A Meta‐analysis. Global Change Biology, 20, 666-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12438
[36]
Chenu, C., Angers, D.A., Barré, P., Derrien, D., Arrouays, D. and Balesdent, J. (2019) Increasing Organic Stocks in Agricultural Soils: Knowledge Gaps and Potential Innovations. Soil and Tillage Research, 188, 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.04.011
[37]
Okou, F.A.Y., Assogbadjo, A.E., Bachmann, Y. and Sinsin, B. (2014) Ecological Factors Influencing Physical Soil Degradation in the Atacora Mountain Chain in Benin, West Africa. Mountain Research and Development, 34, 157-166. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-13-00030.1
[38]
Atchada, C.C., Zoffoun, A.G., Akplo, T.M., Azontonde, A.H., Tente, A.B. and Djego, J.G. (2019) Modes d’utilisation des terres et stock de carbone organique du sol dans le bassin supérieur de Magou au Bénin. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 12, Article No. 2818. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v12i6.27
[39]
Koulibaly, B., Dakuo, D., Traoré, K., Ouattara, A., Ouattara, K. and Traoré, O. (2017) Soil Tillage Practices and Crops Rotations Effects on Yields and Chemical Properties of a Lixisol in Burkina Faso. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 106, Article No. 10320. https://doi.org/10.4314/jab.v106i1.12
[40]
Sawadogo, H. (2011) Using Soil and Water Conservation Techniques to Rehabilitate Degraded Lands in Northwestern Burkina Faso. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 9, 120-128. https://doi.org/10.3763/ijas.2010.0552
[41]
Roose, E., Bellefontaine, R. and Visser, M. (2011) Six Rules for the Rapid Restoration of Degraded Lands: Synthesis of 17 Case Studies in Tropical and Mediterranean Climates. Science et changementsplanétaires/Sécheresse, 22, 86-96.
[42]
Tully, K., Sullivan, C., Weil, R. and Sanchez, P. (2015) The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions. Sustainability, 7, 6523-6552. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7066523
[43]
Pallo, J., Sawadogo, N., Zombre, N.P. and Sedogo, M.P. (2010) Statut de la matière organique des Cambisols et des Lixisols sous formations naturelles de longue durée en zone Nord-Soudanienne au Burkina Faso. AgronomieAfricaine, 21, 215-229. https://doi.org/10.4314/aga.v21i3.56444
[44]
Borrelli, P., Robinson, D.A., Fleischer, L.R., Lugato, E., Ballabio, C., Alewell, C., et al. (2017) An Assessment of the Global Impact of 21st Century Land Use Change on Soil Erosion. Nature Communications, 8, Article No. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02142-7
[45]
Vanlauwe, B., Descheemaeker, K., Giller, K.E., Huising, J., Merckx, R., Nziguheba, G., et al. (2015) Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Unravelling Local Adaptation. Soil, 1, 491-508. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-491-2015
[46]
Félix, G.F., Scholberg, J.M.S., Clermont-Dauphin, C., Cournac, L. and Tittonell, P. (2018) Enhancing Agroecosystem Productivity with Woody Perennials in Semi-Arid West Africa. A Meta-Analysis. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 38, Article No. 57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-018-0533-3
[47]
Zoungrana, A., Cissé, M., Traoré, M., De Cannière, C., Bationo, B.A., Visser, M., et al. (2024) Influence of Agroforestry Systems on Earthworm Diversity and Soil Properties in a Sudano-Sahelian Landscape. Geoderma Regional, 37, e00786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2024.e00786
