Impact of Early Fires on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Sudan Savanna in Chad

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of early fire on soil properties in the savanna. The approach chosen is based on the study of experimental plots in relation to early fires. The study was conducted in the Guirkouh forest in the Sudanian zone in Chad. The main objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the effects of early fires on the physicochemical properties of the soil in the savanna. The research work was carried out in an experimental system covering 0.25 ha. Three fuel treatments were considered in addition to the control in the early fire regime. The results showed no significant difference in the rate of progression and in the intensity of the fire. And no significant differences were observed between the profiles either before or after the passage of fire. Similarly, no interaction effect of these factors on the particle size distribution was observed. However, a greater nutrient enrichment of the surface layers was observed. Depending on soil sampling depth, a 1%, 2% and 5% decrease in total phosphorus (Pt) was also observed for 0-5 cm horizons, respectively; 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm. Overall, the study shows that pH, total Carbon (Ct), the ratio C/N and total Nitrogen (Nt) not significantly varied (P > 0.05) during the three years of application of early fire.