Abstract

Information on long-term fertilization combined with crop rotation can contribute to better management of West African Lixisols. There is little information on how long-term organic inputs influence soil chemical properties under cereal monoculture versus a rotation with a legume. Here, we investigated how fertilization regimes with emphasis on organic inputs influence soil chemical properties in sorghum monoculture compared to sorghum-cowpea rotation. The long-term field trial of Saria in Burkina Faso, which has been in operation since 1960, was used for this purpose. Soils were sampled at the 0-20 cm depth to determine their organic C, total N, total P, mineral N, available P, pH_water, exchangeable basic cations, and cation exchange capacity. The best soil properties were exhibited with the application of 40 t ha^-1 of manure. Recycling of sorghum residues combined with mineral fertilization led to a decrease in mineral N and available P but maintained a higher level of total N and P compared to exclusive mineral fertilization. Organic inputs determined soil properties and sorghum yield better (R² = 0.89) in rotation than in monoculture. Our results show that a better productivity of the studied Lixisol requires an application of manure at more than 5 t ha^-1 combined with mineral fertilization. In addition, a rotation including a legume and a regular recycling of crop residues is necessary.

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