Résumé
This study aimed to test the effect of Eucalyptus litter on growth, roots symbioses status and nutrition of Sahelian acacia's seedlings. Sangalkam sandy soil was amended with two levels (1 and 5 %) of Eucalyptus litter. As control of the effect of litter addition, sandy soil was amended with 1 and 5 % of maize litter. In addition, a control without amendment was established to highlight any changes caused by amendments. Eucalyptus litter impact on A. senegal, A. seyal and A. albida was determined by comparing plants grown in amended treatments to plants grown in both control treatments. Results indicated that Eucalyptus litter leads to changes in soil pH and phenol content. These changes negatively affect plant growth, their symbiotic status (mycorrhization, nodulation), and their nutrition (leaf chlorophyll content, total carbon, total nitrogen and phosphorus in shoots). Likewise, soil enzymatic activities were modified. Acid phosphatase was higher in Eucalyptus litter amended soil than in control while alkaline phosphatase was higher in control soil than in Eucalyptus litter amended soil. Positive correlations were recorded between roots symbioses and shoots mineral content suggesting that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and N-fixing symbiosis promote mineral uptake and storage in leaves. However, polyphenolic content of added litter was negatively linked to roots symbioses and growth of tested acacias. Results showed also, Eucalyptus litter impact on acacias growth was genotype and dose dependent.