Gnissien M. auteur aut IRD Coulibaly K. auteur aut IRD Koomson E. auteur aut IRD Douzet J. M. auteur aut IRD Cournac Laurent auteur aut IRD Nacro H. B. auteur aut IRD Cicek H. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Piliostigma reticulatum is widely distributed in the Sahel and plays an important role in the livelihoods of local communities. Its uses include livestock feeding and soil management. However, anthropogenic pressure and adverse climatic factors have led to significant variability and a decline in the species' density, impairing its potential for soil management.,. To ensure the sustainable soil management determining the optimal planting density of P. reticulatum is essential.. This study employed a completely randomized Fisher block design with four shrub densities (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 shrubs<middle dot>ha-1) in a sorghum-cowpea mixed cropping system. The management method applied to the shrubs was coppicing. The parameters evaluated included shrub aboveground biomass (AGB), soil chemical characteristics and crop productivity (grain, straw, and tops). The results showed that the densities of 1000 and 2000 shrubs ha-1 increased AGB production by 59% and 64%, respectively compared to 500 shrubs.ha-1. The 2000 shrubs ha-1 density enhanced soil organic status with higher levels of organic matter and total nitrogen. Sorghum grain yield increased by 127% and cowpea yield by 56% at 1000 and 2000 shrubs<middle dot>ha-1, respectively, compared to the control (0 shrubs<middle dot>ha(-)1). A density of 2000 shrubs<middle dot>ha-1 is optimal for sustainable sorghum-cowpea mixed cropping system wtihin Sahelian agroforestry parklands. specialized Aboveground biomass Sahel Soil organic carbon Sorghum-cowpea association Shrub regeneration BURKINA FASO ZONE SAHELIENNE 076 068 082 99 8 260 [14 p.] 2025 0167-4366 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095404 10.1007/s10457-025-01365-8 0167-4366 [F B010095404] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095404 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-11/010095404.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-11-18 2026-06-12 fdi:010095404 fre