Title : Effects of cowpea monoculture over two consecutive cropping seasons on the temporal and depth-dependent variations of soil chemical properties and bacterial abundance
Abstract:
This study examines the short-term effects of cowpea cultivation and mineral fertilization on the microbiological and chemical properties of soil, with the goal of enhancing our understanding of how these practices influence the fertility of bare soils in the Sahelian region. To achieve this, an experimental approach was adopted, involving two field trials conducted during the rainy seasons of 2021 and 2022. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) from plots cultivated with cowpea alone or with the addition of 100 kg·ha?¹ of NPK fertilizer, and compared to samples collected before sowing. Results showed that variations in soil characteristics with depth were minimal, suggesting a relatively homogeneous vertical distribution of soil properties in the short term. Furthermore, additional observations revealed a significant decrease in bacterial abundance and available phosphorus in cowpea monoculture plots, especially in 2022. These findings have important implications for the sustainability of cowpea-based farming systems, highlighting a potential risk of nutrient and microbial biomass depletion.
