Effect of Jatropha curcas on the physical and chemical properties of soils in the South Sudan area of Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, agriculture is the basis of the country's social and economic development. In the wake of the oil crisis of the 2000s, Jatropha curcas has generated renewed interest from stakeholders in biofuel production and its use to mitigate the effects of climate change. Despite this certain enthusiasm, very little work has been done on the cultivation of Jatropha curcas. It is within this framework that this research work is part of which the overall objective is to study the impact of Jatropha curcas on the physical and chemical properties of soils in the South Sudan area of Burkina Faso. To do this, an activity was carried out on the establishment of an assessment system in farmers' plantations in the villages of Torokoro and Tin in order to collect information on the impact of the plant on soil properties. The results of the study indicate that the soils are richer in nutrients under the crown of Jatropha curcas. The plant improves the soil's carbon content by 17 to 21% compared to the Jatropha-free field. The cultivation of Jatropha curcas could therefore be considered to combat land degradation in the South Sudan area.