Humic balance of a rice plot located on the South Iazafo Plain, Vavatenina district, Analanjirofo region - Madagascar: Study of possible humic recovery through the contribution of leaf compost from the distillation activity of essential oils from the leav

Knowing the initial state of the soil, especially the amount of organic matter contained in the soil, is the basis of effective fertilization. A soil with too little organic matter will be difficult to cultivate, mainly because of problems of soil structure loss. Humus plays a central role in the quality of soils and the maintenance of their key functions. If the level of organic matter decreases further, soil fertility may be called into question.

Therefore, this study consists of evaluating the stock of humus in a private paddy field located in the South Iazafo plain and considering the possible recovery in the event of a proven deficiency.

The soil examination carried out on this private plot indeed shows the lack of organic matter (barely 2%). Consequently, a humus recovery in order to reach an optimal threshold of 3% ideal for rice cultivation will therefore be deemed necessary. This need for humus is amply compensated by the organic supply in the form of leaf molds from the residues of the essential oil distillation activity of clove leaves, around 20 to 40 years old. Note that this type of organic amendment is very abundant in the neighboring areas of the said Iazafo plain. Their agronomic enhancement is essential in order to promote agricultural yield, in particular paddy yield in this rice-growing area which is unfortunately constantly shrinking