Philippe YAMEOGO

PhD topic: Effect of mineral fertilization combined with legumes on soil fertility and carbon stocks in cereal production in Burkina Faso

Summary: This first-year study evaluated how combining legumes—Gliricidia sepium (Gl) and cowpea (Cw)—with increasing phosphorus doses (P) affects soil chemical properties and millet productivity under a split-split plot design. While the Gl+Cw+P interaction did not significantly change soil carbon stocks, available potassium, or pH, treatments without Gliricidia maintained significantly higher assimilable phosphorus and a higher soil pH than those with it. Crucially, however, the Gl+Cw+P interaction significantly boosted millet grain, shoot, and root yields, achieving a partial land equivalent ratio greater than 0.5. Because intercropping with Gliricidia sepium optimized land-use efficiency and stabilized millet yields, it represents a highly viable strategy for sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in sub-Saharan contexts like Burkina Faso.

Supervisor(s) name(s): Dr Désiré Jean Pascal LOMPO

Area of interest: Agropedology

Primary research keywords: Gliricidia sepium, phosphorus, soil fertility, millet, sustainable agriculture.

Email address:yameogophilippe8[at]gmail[dot]com