Nutrient Availability in the Surface Horizons of Four Tropical Agricultural Soils in Mali

Abstract

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, Baguinéda and Gao abbreviated as Bgni, Kgba, Bgda and Gao). Soil texture was sandy loam for Bgni and Kgba, sandy clay loam for Bgda and loamy sand for Gao. Soil pH values varied from moderately acid for Bgda to neutral for the other sites. Organic carbon ranged from very low (for Gao) or low (for Bgni and Bgda) to medium (for Kgba). 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 Kgba) were below or close to it. Results indicated that Kgba soil had a better macronutrient status for plant growth than the other sites.

Keywords

• Soil fertility
• Macro and micronutrient
• Mali