Nutrient availability in the surface horizons of four tropical agricultural soils in Mali
2002
Soumare, M. | Demeyer, A. | Tack, F.M.G. | Verloo, M.G. (University of Ghent, Ghent (Belgium). Dept. of applied analytical and physical Chemistry)
Studies of nutrient availability are important for the understanding and the estimation of soil fertility in areas like West Africa, where low nutrient availability is still one of the major constraints for food production. Physico-chemical soil analyses were used to assess the fertility status of the surface horizon samples of four Malian agricultural soils, (Bougouni, Kangaba, Baguineda and Gao. Soil texture was sandy loam for Bougouni and Kangaba, sandy clay loam for Baguineda and loamy sand for Gao. Soil pH values varied from moderately acid for Baguineda to neutral for the other sites. Organic carbon ranged from very low (for Gao) or low (for Bougouni and Baguineda) to medium (for Kangaba). Total N, P and CEC were low for the four soils. Available contents of Fe and Mn in all soils, except Gao, were higher than the critical levels while available Cu and Zn contents (except in Kangaba) were below or close to it. Results indicated that Kgba soil had a better macronutrient status for plant growth than the other sites.
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