Effect of management of pruned fronds of oil palm on soil carbon stock and soil physico-chemical properties in Beninese smallholder plantations

Description of the subject. In Benin, oil palm plantations are widely managed by smallholder farmers. The study addresses the impact on soil properties of the recycling of pruned fronds from these trees. Objectives. The study aims to assess the effect of two modes of management of pruned fronds on the carbon stock and physico-chemical properties of soil. Method. Six oil palm plantations were selected to represent two age classes (7-12 years and 13-24 years) in southeastern Benin. They were used to compare the soil properties of two areas: the areas of total recycling of pruned fronds (TR) and the areas of no recycling of the fronds (NR), which represented the control. In each plantation, soil samples were collected under the two treatments, from holes of up to 50 cm depth, near six oil palm trees. The soil properties were determined using conventional laboratory methods and near-infrared spectroscopy method. Results. Carbon and nitrogen stocks under TR of adult plantations were 58 Mg.ha(-1) and 4.3 Mg.ha(-1), respectively, and were significantly higher than the stocks in all other treatments (34.6 Mg C.ha(-1) and 2.9 Mg N.ha(-1)). Recycling of pruned fronds improved soil fertility at a depth of up to 20 cm in the adult plantations. The porosity and bulk density of the soil were also improved. Conclusions. The management of the pruned fronds in the smallholders' oil palm plantations modified the soil properties, which were significantly improved in the top soil after 10 years of frond recycling.