Summary
This field study quantified the hydrological impact of land use conversion in a tropical West African watershed by comparing soil infiltration across 36 paired cropland-fallow plots. Results showed that continuous tillage without crop residue incorporation significantly reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity in croplands (2.42 cm d−1) relative to fallow land (2.59 cm d−1), primarily through loss of macropore connectivity and increased soil compaction. The findings suggest that agricultural intensification degrades soil structure and water infiltration capacity, with implications for sustainable water management and soil conservation in smallholder farming systems.
UK applicability
Whilst the specific soil types (Ferric Luvisol, Dystric Gleysol) and tropical climate differ from typical UK conditions, the study's core findings on tillage-induced soil compaction and macropore degradation are relevant to UK arable farming practice. The mechanisms identified—residue removal and repeated cultivation reducing porosity—are directly applicable to temperate arable soils and support UK conservation agriculture policies.
Key measures
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks, cm d−1), soil infiltration rate (hood infiltrometer), bulk density, soil texture, soil macropore and mesopore connectivity, soil class classification
Outcomes reported
The study measured saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and soil infiltration rates across paired cropland-fallow plots in a tropical watershed, comparing soil properties and classes. Findings demonstrated that cropland exhibited significantly lower infiltration rates than fallow land, with implications for water conservation and soil degradation.
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