Success of three soil restoration techniques on seedling survival and growth of three plant species in the Sahel of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Soil moisture, survival and growth of planted seedlings The experiment was started in August 2011 using a randomized complete block design with three replicates, giving a total of 27 plots. Each plot was: 14 m x 11 m in size. In each plot, 20 seedlings were planted in zaï and standard plantation techniques, and 18 seedlings in half-moon making a total of 522 planted seedlings. Survival rate and seedlings growth were recorded every four months interval from December 2011 onwards (April 2012, August 2012, December 2012 and April 2013). Growth of seedlings was monitored by measuring plant height and basal stem diameter of each seedling. Soil moisture was measured gravimetrically in October 2012 and 2013 (dry season) at five different depths: 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm, 30-40 cm and 40–50 cm for each restoration technique. Three measures, one per replicated block and period were taken in each depth level and this corresponds to a total of 45 measures for each year. In each depth level, three soil samples were taken and stored in sealed tare boxes. Soil water content was determined after drying to constant mass at 105 °C.