@article{fdi:010077887,
  title = {{C}arbon and nutrient losses through biomass burning, and links with soil fertility and yam ({D}ioscorea alata) production},
  author = {{N}'{D}ri, {A}. {B}. and {K}one, {A}. {W}. and {L}oukou, {S}. {K}. {K}. and {B}arot, {S}{\'e}bastien and {G}ignoux, {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}iomass burning has links with a number of global concerns including soil health, food security and climate change. {I}n central {C}ote d'{I}voire ({W}est {A}frica), we conducted a field study to compare nutrient losses, soil fertility and yam yield in slash-and-burn versus slash-and-mulch agriculture. {T}rials involved five sites established in the dominant {C}hromolaena odorata fallows of the region, each consisting of paired plots: slash and burnt biomass ({SB}) versus slashed and unburnt biomass, but left to serve as mulch ({SM}). {C}arbon and five elemental nutrients were assessed in the aboveground biomass prior to burning and in ash after fires; losses were assessed by subtraction. {T}he greatest proportions of loss occurred with {C} (95%), {N} (95%) and {K} (74%), corresponding to losses into the atmosphere of 3532 +/- 408, 200 +/- 36, 132 +/- 36 kg ha(-1). {S}ix weeks after the fire, soil properties were assessed: soil organic {C}, total {N} and {M}g2+ were higher in {SM} than in {SB} sites. {A}t final harvest, yam tuber yield was twice as large in {SM} as in {SB} (18 +/- 4 vs. 9 +/- 2 {M}g ha(-1)) with soil {C}, total {N} and {K}+ as the main influential soil parameters. {T}he key finding was that the elements lost in greatest proportion during burning were those mostly influencing yam yields. {B}ecause a clear negative relationship between biomass burning and yam production has been established the promotion of the more productive, alternate slash-and-mulch system compared to slash-and-burn system, is warranted. {T}he findings of our research can be used in support of developing a sustainable yam production system in the region and in {W}est {A}frica more generally.},
  keywords = {{COTE} {D}'{IVOIRE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}xperimental {A}griculture},
  volume = {55},
  numero = {5},
  pages = {738--751},
  ISSN = {0014-4797},
  year = {2019},
  DOI = {10.1017/s0014479718000327},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077887},
}