@article{fdi:010034394,
  title = {{P}ost-fallow decomposition of woody roots in the {W}est {A}frican savanna},
  author = {{M}anlay, {R}apha{\¨e}l {J}. and {M}asse, {D}ominique and {C}hevallier, {T}iphaine and {R}ussell-{S}mith, {A}. and {F}riot, {D}. and {F}eller, {C}hristian},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}allowing is a common practice for the management of soil fertility in low-input cropping systems of the {W}est-{A}frican savanna, but has been threatened by the growing need for land in the sub-region for the past few decades. {P}roposals for alternatives to traditional fallowing
must rely on a proper understanding of the soil biochemical dynamics occurring after fallow conversion to cropping. {T}wo mesh-bag experiments were thus conducted in two sites (dry and sub-humid tropical climates) in {S}enegal to assess the role of site-related factors
(climate, macrofaunal activity) and root-related factors (tree species, root diameter) on the decomposition of tree roots after clearing of fallow vegetation as measured from mass loss. {R}oot decomposition was fastest - and even faster than predicted from a global model
 - in the wettest site (first order disappearance rate: 1.00 y-1 and 1.46-1.49 y-1 under dry and sub-humid conditions, respectively).  {M}acrofauna accounted for half of root mass loss in the sub-humid site, with biomass removal occurring even during the dry season. {F}astest disappearance
for roots with null sign<5 mm occurred for {D}ichrostachys cinerea, and {C}ombretum glutinosum. {T}he influence of root chemical composition on decomposition patterns among tree species and root diameter classes was not clear, with effects of cell wall composition and nutrient content changing
throughout the incubation period.  {F}ast disappearance of dead roots suggests that cropping practices that allow conservation of live stumps, such as no-tillage and direct sowing, be promoted wherever possible to ensure soil conservation. {I}t also suggests the possible management of tree
species composition and, to a much lesser extent, of macrofauna during the fallow period to control root decomposition patterns and related nutrient transfers to crop biomass after fallow conversion.},
  keywords = {{JACHERE} ; {RACINE} ; {DECOMPOSITION} ; {SAVANE} ; {FACTEUR} {CLIMATIQUE} ; {FAUNE} {DU} {SOL} ; {MACROFAUNE} ; {ACTIVITE} {BIOLOGIQUE} ; {ARBRE} ; {ESPECE} ; {FERTILITE} {DU} {SOL} ; {CHIMIE} {DU} {SOL} ; {AFRIQUE} {DE} {L}'{OUEST} ; {SENEGAL} ; {CASAMANCE} ; {SINE} {SALOUM} ; {SONKORONG} ; {SARE} {YOROBANA}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}lant and {S}oil},
  volume = {260},
  numero = {},
  pages = {123--136},
  ISSN = {0032-079{X}},
  year = {2004},
  DOI = {10.1023/{B}:{PLSO}.0000030176.41624.d7},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010034394},
}