Springer Alleviating Soil Fertility Constraints in West Africa

Address the complex challenges of agricultural productivity in tropical regions with this specialized scientific text. Published by Springer as part of the Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences series, this volume examines the unique geological history of West Africa. Because tropical Africa escaped the glaciers of the Ice Age, the resulting soil parent materials are often old, highly weathered, and lacking in bases and phosphate-bearing minerals. This book explores the transition from traditional farming systems, which utilized long fallow periods to maintain soil health, to modern pressures caused by dense populations. It provides essential context for understanding how landless farmers are now cultivating marginal lands and the resulting impact on soil stability. For professionals in soil science, agronomy, and tropical agriculture, this work offers a deep look into the environmental factors that limit crop production and the necessity of managing soil fertility in changing landscapes.