Abstract
Soils degradation is one of the constraints in food security achievement in Benin. This study aimed at assessing the effect of cropping systems and slope on soil physical and chemical properties in the watershed of Kpacomey located in the Aplahoue district. Soil samples were collected from three parallel transects along the slope. Sampling was carried out under different treatments combining cropping systems (Maize-Cassava, pure Palm grove, Palm grove-Maize-Cassava and Teak Plantation) along with slope levels (low slope, medium slope and high slope degree). The impact of cropping systems and slope on soil properties was assessed by determining the physical and chemical parameters. The cropping systems significantly (p 3) was recorded under the Palm grove-Maize-Cassava cropping system while the highest (1.47 g/cm3) was obtained with pure Palm grove cropping system. Root biomass was more abundant (0.28%) with the pure Palm grove cropping system. However, root biomass was significantly (p 0.05) on the effect of cropping systems and slope. Moreover, cropping systems resulted in significant effects (p < 0.05). Soil organic matter and soil-assimilated phosphorus content were significantly influenced by the effect of the slope. These findings indicated that cropping systems and slope are significant drivers in soil degradation in the Kpacomey watershed and bringing out cropping systems that best aim at soil conservation.
Highlights
The world is caught in a growing circle with a growing population that is insisting on food that it cannot obtain by abusing the land and depleting its forests and soil [1]
Root biomass, soil bulk density and soil crusting index were studied as soil physical parameters while soil organic matter and available phosphorus contents and pH were assessed as chemical parameters
Results showed that cropping systems significantly influenced root biomass and soil bulk density
Summary
The world is caught in a growing circle with a growing population that is insisting on food that it cannot obtain by abusing the land and depleting its forests and soil [1]. Many countries where agricultural capital per worker and public investment in agriculture have stagnated are the epicenters of global poverty and hunger [3]. In these countries, agriculture is almost abandoned to farmers without clear regulation of natural resource exploitation [4]. Population growth has led to a lot of human pressure on renewable natural resources [8] This human pressure has led to the expansion of urban spaces at the expense of arable land and the loss of much fertile land [6]. Agricultural land and even marginal land with low fertility are under permanent cultivation [8], causing the depletion of soil organic matter and nutrients, collapse of soil structure, loss of productivity of arable land, soil erosion and land abandonment
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