Characterization of Desulfovibrio sp. isolated from some lowland paddy field soils of Burkina Faso

In a wetland ecosystem such as lowland ricefields, the anaerobic mineralization of organic matter is a key mechanism for nutrient recycling (Jørgensen 1982; Freney et al. 1982). In the process which involves several bacterial groups, sulfate reducers (Watanabe and Furusaka 1980; Widdel 1988; Ouattara and Jacq 1992; Nozoe 1997), methanogens (Asakawa and Hayano 1995; Dianou et al. 1997), sulfur and ferric ion reducers (Jacq et al. 1991) become active when the soil becomes anoxic (Amstrong 1969). Sulfate reducers are common in flooded soils (Watanabe and Furusaka 1980; Widdel 1988; Furusaka et al. 1991). Reported densities in rice soils ranged from 10³ to 10⁵ g^-1 dry soils in Asia (Watanabe and Furusaka 1980) and from 10² to 10⁹ g^-1 dry soil in Sénégal (Ouattara and Jacq 1992). Among the sulfate reducers, the “classical” Desulfovibrio species are known to oxidize typical fermentation products such as hydrogen, lactate, pyruvate, and dicarboxylic acids (Widdel 1988). So far, data on the isolation and characterization of sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) strains from African rice paddy field soils study have been very limited.     

Is rural migration a threat to environmental sustainability in Southern Burkina Faso?

There is growing evidence that population pressure on the land has become the most intractable problem in the developing countries where demand for food exceeds the food production capacity of the land. Southern Burkina Faso has experienced rapid population growth, mostly driven by immigration of farmers. This study was carried out in Sissili Province and used satellite images acquired over 31‐year period, census and survey data to capture migration patterns and its impacts on land use change. Results showed that migrant population which accounted for only 3 per cent in the study area in 1976 shifted to 57 per cent in 2007. Migrant people were using improved technology to progressively convert forest land to cropland. Cropland increased at an annualized rate of 0·46 per cent to the detriment of the dense forest and woodland which decreased at 0·57 per cent per annum. Population growth was highly correlated with increasing area of cropland (r² = 0·95, p = 0·014) and declining dense forest (r² = 0·78) and woodland (r² = 0·95) covers. It can be concluded that rural migration, driven by the relatively good soil and rainfall conditions in the recipient area, is accounted for deforestation in the study area. If rural migration is not checked, it will seriously degrade the environment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ploughing frequency and compost application effects on soil infiltrability in a cotton–maize (Gossypium hirsutum–Zea mays L.) rotation system on a Ferric Luvisol and a Ferric Lixisol in Burkina Faso

One of the key issues to increase soil productivity in the Sahel is to ensure water infiltration and storage in the soil. We hypothesised that reducing tillage from annual to biennial ploughing and the use of organic matter, like compost, would better sustain soil hydraulic properties. The study had the objective to propose sustainable soil fertility management techniques in the cotton–maize cropping systems. The effects of reduced tillage (RT) and annual ploughing (AP) combined with compost application (Co) on soil infiltration parameters were assessed on two soil types. Topsoil mean saturated hydraulic conductivities (K_s) were between 9 and 48 mm h⁻¹ in the Luvisol, while in the Lixisol they were between 18 and 275 mm h⁻¹. In the two soil types compost additions with reduced tillage or with annual ploughing had the largest effect on K_s. Soil hydraulic behaviour was in reasonable agreement with soil pore size distribution (mean values varied from 19.5 to 237 μm) modified by tillage frequency and organo-mineral fertilization. Already the first 3 years of this study showed that use of organic matter, improved soil infiltration characteristics when annual ploughing was used. Also biennial ploughing showed promising results and may be a useful strategy for smallholders to manage these soils.     

Impact of land-use type and harvesting on population structure of a non-timber forest product-providing tree in a semi-arid savanna, West Africa

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) strongly contribute to livelihood security in the semi-arid tropics. Main factors determining the populations of NTFP-providing species are human activities. This study examined the impact of land-use, combined with rates and patterns of debarking and chopping on a NTFP-providing tree (Anogeissus leiocarpa) in Burkina Faso. We compared stands in a protected area (W National Park) with those of its surrounding communal area (fallows, croplands) in order to (i) obtain an indication on the status of the population, (ii) assess its harvesting tolerance, (iii) estimate the sustainability of present management, and (iv) derive which additional management strategies may foster its conservation. Our results reveal that the stands of A. leiocarpa are in healthy states in fallows and in the park. In croplands, the absence of saplings gives evidence of a declining population. Nearly all individuals of A. leiocarpa were harvested in croplands and fallows, while the number of harvested individuals in the park was negligible. Intensity of debarking and chopping was tree size-specific. The sprouting ability significantly increased with higher chopping intensity. We conclude that despite the land-use impact and the intense harvesting, stands of A. leiocarpa are still well preserved due to the species life history (fast growing and high sprouting) and due to indirect positive influences of human activities by providing better environmental conditions for its recruitment. Thus, the population of A. leiocarpa is not at risk to over-harvesting and land-use even though it is not protected.     

Effects of tillage, organic resources and nitrogen fertiliser on soil carbon dynamics and crop nitrogen uptake in semi-arid West Africa

Tillage, organic resources and fertiliser effects on soil carbon (C) dynamics were investigated in 2000 and 2001 in Burkina Faso (West Africa). A split plot design with four replications was laid-out on a loamy-sand Ferric Lixisol with till and no-till as main treatments and fertiliser types as sub-treatments. Soil was fractionated physically into coarse (0.250–2 mm), medium (0.053–0.250 mm) and fine fractions (< 0.053 mm). Particulate organic carbon (POC) accounted for 47–53% of total soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) for 30–37% of total soil nitrogen concentration. The POC decreased from 53% of total SOC in 2000 to 47% of total SOC in 2001. Tillage increased the contribution of POC to SOC. No-till led to the lowest loss in SOC in the fine fraction compared to tilled plots. Well-decomposed compost and single urea application in tilled as well as in no-till plots induced loss in POC. Crop N uptake was enhanced in tilled plots and may be up to 226 kg N ha⁻¹ against a maximum of 146 kg N ha⁻¹ in no-till plots. Combining crop residues and urea enhanced incorporation of new organic matter in the coarse fraction and the reduction of soil carbon mineralisation from the fine fraction. The PON and crop N uptake are strongly correlated in both till and no-till plots. Mineral-associated N is more correlated to N uptake by crop in tilled than in no-till plots. Combining recalcitrant organic resources and nitrogen fertiliser is the best option for sustaining crop production and reducing soil carbon decline in the more stabilised soil fraction in the semi-arid West Africa.