In the semi-arid zones of West Africa, the relationships between organic matter management methods, soil quality who has resulted and cotton production, remains little or poorly known. In a simple non-randomized block design located at Boni in western Burkina Faso, we studied the impact of three organic matter management methods on soil quality and cotton yield over a period of thirty years. The three modes of crop residue management compared were: extensive management, where residues are exported (SI); semi-intensive management (SII); and intensive management of crop residues (SIII), corresponding to compost and recycled manure inputs respectively. The results showed that, over time, cotton yields and rainfall fluctuated almost identically, whatever the crop residue management method. In terms of soil chemical properties, compost (7.16 g.kg-1) and manure (6.75 g.kg-1) reduced the degradation of soil fertility compared with the initial soil (7.70 g.kg-1). Investigation into the determinants of cotton production at farm level showed that the factors controlling cotton yield are major elements (C, N, Pas and Kt), exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and CEC. Regardless of how soil fertility is managed, cultivation has led to a decline in soil fertility. This study served as a reminder of the benefits of good agricultural practices for sustainable soil fertility management.

Burkina Faso's agricultural systems are space-intensive and are characterized by their low productivity. In the past, a shifting cultivation system with fallow was practiced by farmers. With demographic pressure and the migratory phenomenon, this traditional system of regeneration and management of soil fertility has almost disappeared. The search for manure formulas adapted to the main crops of the East was the object of our study. To this end, a participatory evaluation using the matrix scoring method made it possible to establish the value of these combinations of manures. The study covered thirty (30) fields in leached tropical ferruginous soils with a sandy clay texture (Kotchari, Pentinga). The participatory evaluation by producers made it possible to assess the probability of acceptance of several manure formulas by them. This probability of accepting the manure options generally reflects the performance of a combination of manures and the producers' preference for this manure. For the producer, yield, economic reproducibility, accessibility to inputs and valuation of labor constitute criteria for the adoption or rejection of a manure formula. The cultural weight of speculation is also a criterion for adopting a fertilizer formula. It emerges from this participatory evaluation: the relevance of the organo-phosphate manure formulas (5t / ha fo + 50Kg / ha Urea 5t / ha; fo + 200Kg / ha BP + 50Kg / ha Urea and 5t / ha fo + 200Kg / ha BP + 50Kg / ha Urea + 150Kg / ha NPK on sorghum; 200Kg / ha + 100Kg / ha NPK BP 200Kg / ha BP + 50Kg / ha Urea). It is therefore advisable to produce enriched composts with a view to intensification. Organo-mineral manure is essential for the peasants in a perspective of sustainable intensification and in their agro-socio-economic criteria. The agronomic effectiveness of rock phosphate associated with mineral fertilizers (Urea, NPK especially) on cowpeas is perceived and seems a less expensive alternative.Judicious management of local resources (natural phosphates, organic matter) combined with good cultivation techniques (crop associations and rotations) can be an alternative to the use of imported fertilizers and an approach for the development of sustainable agriculture.