Detailed Soil Mapping and Fertility Potential at the Borotou-Koro Integrated Agricultural Unit (Northwest Côte d'Ivoire)

YAO Kouakou Ladji¹*, GALA Bi Trazie Jeremie¹, OUATTARA Blou Adama Boris², BLE-BINATE Nozene³, Yao Kouakou³ and YAO-KOUAME Albert^1
1Felix Houphouet-Boigny University, UFR STRM, Laboratoire des sciences du sol, de l'eau et des geomateriaux, 01 BPV 34 Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire
²Thunen-Institut for Climate-Smart Agriculture, Braunschweig, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Brunswick, Germany
³Department of Agronomic Studies, SUCRIVOIRE, BP 100 Borotou Koro, Cote d'Ivoire
*Corresponding Author: YAO Kouakou Ladji, Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny, UFR STRM, Laboratoire des sciences du sol, de l'eau et des geomateriaux, 01 BPV 34 Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire.

Published: May 23, 2025

DOI: 10.55162/MCAES.08.243

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Abstract  

As soil mapping is an essential tool for sustainable agriculture, the aim of this study was to draw up maps of the different soil classes, taking morphopedology into account, with view to precise management of amendments and fertilizers in sugarcane cultivation, at the Borotou-Koro integrated agricultural unit. To this end, descriptive field and analytical laboratory data from 249 soil profiles were grouped into cartographic units and geostatistically processed using Geographic Information System software (Qgis). A total of five major soil classes were identified, namely Cambisols (74.8%), Gleysols (17.8%), Arenosols (6.5%), Plinthosols (1.4%) and Leptosols (0.6%). With regard to the nutritional standards of sugarcane cultivation, the analytical results indicate that all these soils are capable of meeting the demand for carbon, at very high levels (> 50 g.kg^-1). For the other parameters, they showed partial levels of satisfaction. Phosphorus demand was met with average levels in Plinthosols and Leptosols, then high levels in Cambisols and Arenosols. Magnesium demand is met with average levels in Cambisols and Leptosols. Calcium levels are considered average in Plinthosols, then high in Cambisols and Leptosols. Potassium levels are high in Cambisols and Plinthosols, then average in Arenosols and Leptosols. Nitrogen and cation exchange capacity are below the required threshold on all these soils. Deficits are lower for Cambisols, but relatively high for all other soil types, especially Gleysols. This justifies the need for measures to restore soil fertility levels, accompanied by maintenance fertilization in line with yield objectives.

Keywords: Mapping; Cambisol; Fertility potential; Borotou-Koro; Ivory Coast

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