Influence of shrub management on soil macrofauna in the northern Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso

Latest study about the influence of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst. and Guiera senegalensis J.F.Gmel. and their management on soil macrofauna in the northern Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso.

Macrofauna density by shrub management and sampling layer. Image: B. Bazongo.

Sampling and sorting soil macrofauna. Photo: B. Bazongo.

The conservation and use of soil macrofauna is one of the major challenges for the development of sustainable agriculture. In this perspective, evaluating and understanding the effects of shrub management practices and their derivatives on soil macrofauna is crucial.

The study
The aim of the study was to assess the influence of Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis pruning, P. reticulatum assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and mulching the biomass of both shrubs on the density and diversity of soil macrofauna. Soil macrofauna were sampled in 2022 using the monolith method, in 12 plots per treatment per year.

Results
In the 0-10 cm layer, the highest densities of soil macrofauna were observed on mulch (56 ± 01 individuals.m-2) and under P. reticulatum in RNA (51 ± 01 individuals.m-2), while the lowest density was observed in the control, i.e. the area outside the influence of shrubs (12 ± 00 individuals.m-2). Macrofauna densities decrease progressively from the 0-10 cm layer to the 20-30 cm layer. The lowest densities were observed in the control layer. These results can serve as benchmarks for designing and evaluating innovative systems that are more effective in terms of soil macrofauna and their ecological functions. Termitidae and Formicidae were the two most frequently observed orders, especially on mulch and under P. reticulatum in RNA.

Written by: Bessibié Bazongo, PhD at INERA - Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Burkina Faso

Further information

Cited literature

Traoré M., Barro A., Garané A. Nacro H. B., 2015. Etude de la dynamique de la macrofaune du sol sous culture de deux variétés de patate douce (Ipomea batatas) avec utilisation de différents modes de désherbage. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 9(5): 2334-2345.

Traoré M., Yonli D., Garané A., Birba S., Sawadogo A., Nikiema J., 2016. Etude de la dynamique de la macrofaune du sol en culture d’ognon sous usage de diverses pratiques agricoles. Agronomie Africaine, 28 (2) : 73 -83.

Samb T., Cissé A., Ndiaye A. B., 2017. Diversité de la macrofaune du sol dans les parcelles de reboisement de la Grande Muraille Verte au Sénégal. European Scientific Journal, Vol.13, No.15 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431.

Tantachasatid P., Boyer J., Thanisawanyankura S., Seguy L., Sajjaphane K., 2017. Soil macrofauna communities under plant cover in a no-till system in Thailand. Agriculture and Natural Resources 51, 1-6.