Effect of shifting cultivation on an upland volcanic soil in north-west Cameroon
1993
Aweto, A.O. (Ibadan Univ. (Nigeria). Dept. of Geography) | Bongfen, L.J.
The study evaluates the effects of shifting cultivation, the organic matter and nutrient status of an upland volcanic soil in north-west Cameroon. It compares the characteristics of the soil under the cropping phase of shifting cultivation with those in an adjoining 10-year old grass savanna fallow protected from burning. The organic matter contents of the 0-10 cm and 10-30 cm layers of cultivated soil were generally lower than in the grass savanna control plots. This is mainly due to the cumulative effects of soil exposure and the attendant effects of organic matter diminution resulting from leaching, erosion and rapid organic matter mineralisation in the cultivated sites over the years. The mean levels of exchangeable calcium and magnesium in cultivated soil were however higher than in the corresponding layer of soil in the grass savanna control plots. This seemingly anomalous situation is presumably due to the nutrient enrichment of the cultivated sites through the addition of ash derived from burnt vegetation slash, immediately prior to cropping. There were no significant differences between cultivated and the grass savanna soil with respect to exchangeable potassium status.
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