Spatial Patterns of P Fractions and Chemical Properties in Soils of two Native Shrub Communities in Senegal
| Author | Sire Diedhiou | |
| Author | Ekwe L. Dossa | |
| Author | J. E. Compton | |
| Author | Komi B. Assigbetsé | |
| Author | Richard P. Dick | |
| Jurisdiction: | Senegal | |
| Date of acession | 2023-12-04T13:57:10Z | |
| Date of availability | 2023-12-04T13:57:10Z | |
| Date of issue | 2009 | |
| Abstract | Two shrub species (Piliostigma reticula tum (D.C.) Hochst (Caesalpinioideae) and Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (Combretaceae) are commonly found in farmers’ fields at varying densities in semi-arid Senegal and throughout the Sahel where soils have chronically low phosphorus (P) availabil ity. It seems plausible that shrub litter and the rhizospheres could influence P fractions and other chemical soil properties that affect crop productivity. Thus, a study was done at two sites, on the distribution of inorganic and organic soil P pools, organic C levels, and pH in soil beneath and outside the canopies of P. reticulatum and G. senegalensis (0-30 cm depth). Both sites had low total P ranging from 64 mg P kg−1 to 135 mg P kg-1, and low extractable PO4 (resin Pi) (1–6 mg P kg−1 ) with P fractions dominated by NaOH-P. Organic P (Po) made up about 50% of total P, and most of the organic P (>60%) was found in the NaOH-P fractions. The labile P, particularly bicarb-Po was higher in soil beneath shrub canopies (8.4 mg P kg −1 ), than outside the canopy (6.2 mg P kg −1 ). Similarly, C, N and P to a lesser extent, were more concentrated beneath shrub canopies. P. reticulatum soil was dominated by the NaOH-Po fraction, whereas G. senegalensis had higher bicarb-Po at one of the study sites. An index of biologically available organic P (Bicarb Po) / (Bicarb-Po+Bicar-Pi+Resin Pi) was >60% and indicates that biological processes represent an important part of P cycling in these shrub ecosystems. The differential ability of shrubs in modifying soil chemical properties under their canopies has major implications for biogeochemi cal cycling of nutrients and C in sandy soils of semi arid Sahelian ecosystems. | |
| Citation | Dossa, E.L., S. Diedhiou, J.E. Compton, K.B. Assigbetse and R.P. Dick. 2009. “Spatial Patterns of P Fractions and Chemical Properties in Soils of Two Native Shrub Communities in Senegal,” Plant Soil 327:185-198. | |
| URL | https://hub.ifdc.org/handle/20.500.14297/2735 | |
| Language | en | |
| Subject | Soil | |
| Subject | Shrubs | |
| Title | Spatial Patterns of P Fractions and Chemical Properties in Soils of two Native Shrub Communities in Senegal | |
| Type | Article |