Summary
This field study examined how cropland conversion affects soil infiltration capacity in the Ouriyori watershed, Benin, using in situ measurements across 36 paired cropland-fallow plots. Croplands exhibited significantly lower saturated hydraulic conductivity (2.42 cm d⁻¹) than fallow land (2.59 cm d⁻¹), with the reduction attributed to intensive tillage operations without residue incorporation and consequent loss of macropore connectivity. The findings underscore how agricultural practices degrade soil hydrological function, with implications for water conservation and productive capacity in tropical smallholder systems.
UK applicability
Although the study focuses on tropical West African soil conditions and land management practices, the mechanistic finding—that intensive tillage without organic matter incorporation reduces infiltration and macropore connectivity—has general relevance to UK arable systems. However, UK soils differ in clay mineralogy, climate, and established conservation agriculture adoption, limiting direct translocation of magnitude estimates.
Key measures
Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks, cm d⁻¹); soil bulk density; soil texture; soil macropore and mesopore connectivity; soil class classification (Ferric Luvisol, Dystric Gleysol); paired Student's t-test on transformed Ks data
Outcomes reported
The study measured saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and infiltration rates across cropland and fallow land plots, comparing soil properties and classes within a tropical watershed. Findings demonstrated significantly lower infiltration rates in croplands relative to fallow land, attributable to tillage-induced soil degradation and reduced macropore connectivity.
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