Ye L. auteur aut IRD Lata J. C. auteur aut IRD Masse Dominique auteur aut IRD Nacro H. B. auteur aut IRD Kissou R. auteur aut IRD Diallo N. H. auteur aut IRD Barot Sébastien auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Growth and composition of plant communities depends on physico-chemical and biological characteristics of soils. Conversely, plants influence nutrient cycling and soil characteristics. Thus, they affect the long-term availability of nutrients, which feedbacks on their own growth and the primary productivity of ecosystems. This study focuses on the fertility and functioning of soils of a grazed savanna in Burkina Faso. It describes the effects of annual and perennial grasses involved in fallow succession, on chemical and biological (microbial biomass, mineralization and enzymatic activities) characteristics of soils. To do this, soil samples were collected under the four dominant species of grasses (A. ascinodis, A. gayanus, A. pseudapricus and L. togoensis) and under bare areas within 48 plots, as well as above- and belowground grass biomass. Results show that root biomass, pH(KCl), basal respiration and fluorescein diacetate activities were significantly higher under perennial grasses (A. gayanus and A. ascinodis) than annual (A. pseudapricus and L. togoensis) and bare soil. Nitrate levels were higher under A. gayanus that had the lowest root biomass. Total carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass and acid phosphatase were higher under the perennial grass A. ascinodis. pH(water) was lower under A. pseudapricus. Finally, ammonium and beta-glucosidase activities weren't significantly different between species. Overall, these results appear complex certainly due to factors of variability that remain to be identified. Nevertheless, they support the general hypothesis that perennial grasses have a greater influence on soil than annuals. Soil biological parameters (Basal respiration, microbial biomass, Beta-glucosidase, fluorescein-diacetate and acid phosphorus) exhibited strong relationship with soil pH, total C and N. specialized Annual and perennial tropical grasses Savanna Soil chemical and biological characteristics Burkina Faso BURKINA FASO ZONE SOUDANIENNE 082 068 113 155-165 2017 0929-1393 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010069971 10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.02.003 0929-1393 [F B010069971] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010069971 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2017/05/010069971.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2017-06-01 2023-07-11 fdi:010069971 fre