An assessment of soil fertility and agronomic constraints in southern African Savannas: A case study of the Pandamatenga area, Botswana

Abstract

Pandamatenga is one of parts of Botswana most suited to dryland farming. The major constraint to crop production is the lack of adequate rainfall. Pellic vertisols (dark cracking clay soils) and ferralic arenosols developed on Kalahari sands constitute the main soil formations. Pandamatenga vertisols are moderately fertile while ferralic arenosols have a very low inherent physical and chemical fertility. This paper reports on the physical and chemical properties of these soils and the characteristics of their organic matter. Some agronomic strategies aimed at their sustainable use are also considered.