Introducing PhD student from IER in Mali

Salouma Macalou is a research associate working in the fruit and vegetable programme of the IER - Institute of Rural Economy, Mali. He is an agricultural and rural engineer by training and holds a masters’ degree in soil science from Egerton University in Kenya.

Mr. Macalou is currently undertaking a PhD in the SustainSahel project. His thesis work is focused on the “Effect of organo-mineral fertilisation on the bio-physical-chemical characteristics of soils and yields of rotational cotton and maize in a corridor cropping system with Leucaena leucocephala in the sub-humid zone of southern Mali”. The overall objective of his research is to generate an agroforestry technology that will reduce the costs of mineral fertilisers while increasing cotton and maize production in a sustainable context by conserving soil fertility in the sub-humid zone of Mali. The specific objectives will be achieved through two activities

1. An experiment at the Farako research station on the cultivation of cotton in rotation with maize in a corridor cropping system with Leucaena Leucocephala under six organo-mineral fertilisation options including the burial of L. leucocephala biomass.
2. In the villages of Zoumana-Diassa, Touroumatié and Nagnassoni, tests of cotton in rotation with maize in a corridor cropping system with L. leucocephala were carried out under three organo-mineral fertilisation options, including the burial of the biomass of L. leucocephala.

Operationally, both activities are to be carried out over three cropping seasons. The research activities and operations are being carried out. During the first cropping season, corridor planting trials with L. leucocephala were installed on station and in the field. Cowpeas were sown in the plots in order to homogenise the soil. Prior to planting, soil samples were taken for initial evaluation of the bio-physical-chemical characteristics of the soil. At 3 months after planting, an estimate of the above-ground biomass of cowpea and a count of living plants were carried out. The plots are monitored and maintained with the close collaboration of the collaborating farmers. 

In the future, after the PhD, he intends to conduct experiments on soil fertilisation in the Sahel and its effect on the main crops, knowing that the progressive decline in the level of soil fertility in this area is a sad reality threatening the survival of millions of people.