Combined Effects of Three Soil Types and Sowing Density on Agronomic Parameters of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) Plants Grown under Agroecological Conditions in Daloa (Côte d'Ivoire)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of soil texture and seedling spacing on the germination and growth of Desmodium adscendens, a plant recognised for its medicinal and agroecological uses. Three types of soil were evaluated: sandy, silty and clayey, as well as three spacing between seedlings (0.5 m; 1 m; 1.5 m). The results showed that the sandy and silty soils produced faster and more uniform germination, with germination rates of over 90% by the thirteenth day after sowing. This performance was attributed to their light, well-aerated structure, which facilitated the circulation of oxygen and the lifting of dormancy. In contrast, the clay soil, which is more compact and less permeable, delayed germination and recorded the lowest germination rates. In terms of vegetative growth, plants grown in sandy soil showed the best results in terms of collar diameter, stem length and number of branches, followed by those grown in loamy soil. The clay soil limited the development of the plants, whatever the spacing used. Statistical analysis revealed that spacing had no significant effect on agronomic parameters (P > 0.05), which can be explained by the morphological plasticity of the species and its ability to adapt to different planting densities. These results confirm the potential of Desmodium adscendens to be integrated into sustainable cropping systems in the humid tropics.