Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-55-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-55-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
19 Jan 2026
Original research article |
| 19 Jan 2026
| 19 Jan 2026
Soil characteristics, land suitability and effect of trachyte and basalt rock powders on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield on Fluvisols in Cameroon's Sudano-Sahelian zone (Central Africa)
Bienvenu Sidsi
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), P.O. Box 33 Maroua, Cameroon
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814 Maroua, Cameroon
Claudine Vounba
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), P.O. Box 33 Maroua, Cameroon
Simon Djakba Basga
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), P.O. Box 2123 Yaoundé, Cameroon
Aubin Nzeugang Nzeukou
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814 Maroua, Cameroon
Merlin Gountie Dedzo
Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, P.O. Box. 55, Maroua, Cameroon
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814 Maroua, Cameroon
Related authors
Bienvenu Sidsi, Claudine Vounba, Simon Djakba Basga, Aubin Nzeugang Nzeukou, Merlin Dedzo Gountie, and Désiré Tsozué
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-930, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-930, 2025
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
The study evaluates the effect of trachyte and basalt powders on soil and maize yield in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. Texture, base saturation, and organic carbon indicate moderate limitations. The climate is favourable for maize cultivation. Rock powder application significantly improves yield, with basalt being more effective than trachyte. The advantage of using rock powders lies in their environmental benefits, long-term effectiveness, and more affordable cost.
Bienvenu Sidsi, Claudine Vounba, Simon Djakba Basga, Aubin Nzeugang Nzeukou, Merlin Dedzo Gountie, and Désiré Tsozué
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-930, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-930, 2025
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
The study evaluates the effect of trachyte and basalt powders on soil and maize yield in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. Texture, base saturation, and organic carbon indicate moderate limitations. The climate is favourable for maize cultivation. Rock powder application significantly improves yield, with basalt being more effective than trachyte. The advantage of using rock powders lies in their environmental benefits, long-term effectiveness, and more affordable cost.
Désiré Tsozué, Nérine Mabelle Moudjie Noubissie, Estelle Lionelle Tamto Mamdem, Simon Djakba Basga, and Dieudonne Lucien Bitom Oyono
SOIL, 7, 677–691, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-677-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-677-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Studies on soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) in the Sudano-Sahelian part of Cameroon are very rare. Organic C storage decreases with increasing latitude and more than 60 % of the SOCS is stored below the first 25 cm depth. In addition, a good correlation is noted between precipitation which decreases with increasing latitude and the total SOCS, indicating the importance of climate in the distribution of the total SOCS in the study area, which directly influence the productivity of the vegetation.
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Short summary
The study evaluates the effect of trachyte and basalt powders on soil and maize yield in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. Texture, base saturation, and organic carbon indicate moderate limitations. The climate is favourable for maize cultivation. Rock powder application significantly improves yield, with basalt being more effective than trachyte. The advantage of using rock powders lies in their environmental benefits, long-term effectiveness, and more affordable cost.
The study evaluates the effect of trachyte and basalt powders on soil and maize yield in the...
