Typology and agronomic potential of the soils of the Sudanian lowlands: case of the developed lowlands of Lofing in south -west Burkina Faso

Abstract

The low soil productivity is among of the constraints of agriculture in Burkina Faso.
In this context, a better knowledge of soils is necessary. This study is a part of the
research methods for sustainable management of hydromorphics soils of the Lofing
Lowland of the province of IOBA (Burkina Faso). This study aims are to characterize
the soil of this lowland with high agricultural activity and to identify the main
constraints to productivity. The methodology consisted in identifying the different
types of soil through the description of soil pits. Samples taken during soil descriptions
were analyzed in the laboratory. The analyzes concerned the particle size, the soil
pH, the soil organic carbon , the organic nitrogen, the assimilable phosphorus, the
cation exchange capacity and the exchangeable bases.The diagnosis revealed three
types of soils: Vertic Hypogleyic Eutric Cambisols (vertic hydromorphic tropical
eutrophic brown soils), eutric gleysols (hydromorphic soils with little humus to
pseudogley), and eutric fluvisols (poorly evolved soils of hydromorphic alluvial
supply). They respectively occupy areas of 17.71 ha, 12.85 ha and 0.9 ha.
This soils present an acidic to neutral pH, have very low SOC contents (≤ 1 %), total
N (≤ 0.1 %), available P(< 15 mg.kg−1) and have a pronounced potassium deficiency
relative to calcium and magnesium.. These characteristics are influenced by the
organic matter and represent more limitations for soils productivity. A combined
supply of organic and mineral fertilizers is ideal in order to overcome these limitations
in a sustainable way.