Connaissance endogène de la classification et de la fertilité des sols en zone Sud-Soudanienne du Burkina Faso

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge has been neglected by policy leaders and research for development. This study was carried out in October 2012 in two localities (Mahon and Diéri) located in the Kénédougou province (Burkina Faso). The aim was to valorize indigenous soil classification and soil fertility perception. We studied soil units along topographic units. The toposequences were selected according to geology and geomorphology. Soils classification was established in the field, based on semi structured interviews by using focus group method with tagba and sɛmɛ farmers. Visual method was used to describe topography, color, vegetation and tactile method was used to determine texture and coarse elements. The description was focused on the upper soil (0-20 cm) only. Soil composite samples were taken in the first 20 cm, to assess indigenous soil fertility perception. We found that soil classification criteria were based on topography and soil morphological characteristics and vegetation. Soils fertility was assessed on the basis of color and vegetation. In spite of a few minor variations in some soil qualities, soil physicochemical properties perception was consistent with laboratory results, proving tagba and sɛmɛ farmers had good knowledge on soil classification criteria.

Keywords

• Burkina Faso
• Indigenous knowledge
• soil classification
• fertility
• Kénédougou