Diagnosis of soil fertility and market gardening systems in the department of Sinématiali (Lokoli and Pegnankaha), northern Ivory Coast

Market gardening plays a crucial role in food security, income generation, and livelihood improvement in northern Côte d’Ivoire; however, its sustainability is increasingly threatened by declining soil fertility and inadequate management practices. This study aimed to assess the fertility status of market garden soils and analyze associated production systems in the department of Sinématiali, focusing on two representative sites, Lokoli and Pegnankaha. A combination of socio-economic surveys involving 65 farmers and detailed morpho-pedological and physicochemical soil analyses was conducted. Soil samples from different horizons were analyzed for pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity, and particle size distribution. The results indicate that market gardening is predominantly practiced by young male farmers who widely adopt crop rotation and organo-mineral fertilization. The soils are mainly Ferralsols and Gleysols with clayey textures, moderate cation exchange capacity (14–24 cmol/kg), and satisfactory base saturation. However, they are slightly acidic (pH 5.1–6.7), with low organic matter (0.43–1.15%) and deficient available phosphorus (4.08–7.52 mg/kg), indicating low to moderate fertility. Variations between sites were observed, with deeper and more structured soils in Lokoli and lighter, sandy soils in Pegnankaha. In conclusion, despite the adoption of adaptive farming practices, the strong reliance on chemical inputs and insufficient organic matter replenishment may threaten long-term soil productivity. These findings highlight the need for integrated soil fertility management, including increased organic amendments and balanced nutrient management, to ensure the sustainability of market gardening systems in the region.