M.F. PurnellSoil Resources, Management and Conservation Service Land Water Development Division Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Rome, Italy
Vertisols are widely distributed in the subhumid and semi-arid regions of Africa, but are dominant soils in only small parts of their range. Their main features are highly characteristic, but there are great chemical and physical differences among them, some of which are described. These characteristics and differences are important for livestock management because they provide opportunities to increase production, but may constrain the introduction of fodder species, grazing systems and animal traction. To make best use of these dark clays, animal production systems should take account of the other soils with which they are associated.
