Influence of agricultural residues on some physical parameters of the soil fertility under eggplant cultivation

The loss of physical soil fertility reduces the mineral potential of soils each year with loss of agricultural yields in West Africa. As a solution, soil amendment based on animal waste is often considered while agricultural residues are regularly destroyed or subjected to animals. In addition, agro-industries and sawmills dump large quantities of waste into the environment of cities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of carbonized rice husk and sawdust on some physical parameters of a soil in eggplant production. The effect of fourteen (14) treatments based on carbonized rice husk and sawdust, with or without addition of chicken droppings, was tested under eggplant culture in the presence of two controls, with and without the addition of droppings. Particle size, permeability and humidity were determined after each crop cycle. In addition, the evolution of organic matter was evaluated in parallel. The results showed a textural improvement of the soil in relation to the variation of permeability and humidity at saturation and field capacity under the effect of agricultural substrates. The combination of rice husk, sawdust and chicken droppings allowed better soil moisture control. The 67% sawdust-33% rice husk composite with basic manure of 3 t.ha-1 of chicken droppings stood out from the others. In a context of climate change where rains are scarce, the data indicate that carbonized rice husks, carbonized sawdust and chicken droppings are residues to be valued in the conservation management of organic matter and agricultural soilwater.