Effects of intensive monocropping of bananas on properties of volcanic soils in the uplands of the French West Indies

Abstract

Abstract. On the volcanic soils of the uplands of the French West Indies, banana monocropping has been practised since about 1980, mostly with large inputs of chemicals and replanting every three to five years after ploughing. However, in Guadeloupe less intensive cropping systems with only few added chemicals are still being used. The effects of the intensive practices on the physical, chemical and biological attributes of soils were evaluated on 34 farmed fields, which were selected to include the diverse soils and management practices found in the uplands of South Basse‐Terre. Management was classified into four groups to differentiate effects of fertilizers, nematicides and tillage over at least 10 years. The population of the parasitic nematode Radopholus similis was, on average, greater 3 months after the application of nematicides. Thus, the use of nematicides increases the dependency of yield on nematicides. Ploughing decreased soil organic matter in the 0–10 cm layer as well as microbial respiration and earthworm biomass, but increased banana root infestation by R. similis. Ploughing was also associated with a change in soil structure, as revealed by the decrease in soil water content at −1 kPa potential and the increased infiltration rate of water into the 0–10 cm layer. The use of fertilizers has advantages for the maintenance or increase of soil reserves of K. However, due to the decreasing of negative electrical charges in the lower layers of andosols, where pH remains low, the majority of the cations supplied by fertilizers, mainly potassium, are prone to leaching.