A Review on Effects of Fire and Traditional Practices of Soil Burning on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties

Abstract

The fertility status of a soil is important to assess the productivity of a soil as it is one of the parameters of soil productivity. Most soil physical and chemical fertility are mainly dependent on organic matter. Thus, the consumed soil organic matter during soil burning affects both soil physical and chemical fertility of soil. Little is known about impacts of traditional practices of soil burning and fire on soil properties besides the yield increment. Therefore, this paper was initiated with the aim of reviewing the effects of fire and traditional practice of soil burning on soil physicochemical properties. High concentrations of available plant nutrients immediately following fire and traditional practices of soil burning may negate the advantage of fertilizing for at least 1 year. The soil gives good yield for two years. However, it negatively affects soil physical and chemical quality and the overall soil health. The decrease in soil physical and chemical fertility of the soil negatively affects continuous crop production and complete loss of land values. Also the nutrient lost from burned soil as result of traditional practices of soil burning and fire regain its fertility after fallowing for many years. Therefore, there is need to find an alternative to fire and traditional practices of soil burning and identify means of reclaiming lands abandoned for crop production and reclaiming soil quality deteriorated due to fire and traditional practices of soil burning by adding OM from available sources. Keywords: Fire, soil burning, Organic matter, physical fertility, chemical fertility