Amelioration Effect of Three Agroforestry Trees on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improvement in soil fertility under Agroforestry occurs mainly through the addition of plant biomass (leaf litter). This research was conducted on an agroforestry farm adjacent to the Sonkpa forest reserve in Wukari Local Government Area. Soil samples were collected under three agroforestry trees (Daniella oliveri, Parkia biglobosa, Vitellaria paradoxa, and agricultural soil as a control). The soil samples were collected at depths of 0–30 cm and replicated three times for the soils supporting each species using a soil Auger and core sampler. Soil samples collected were analysed for pH, organic carbon, Total Nitrogen, Available Phosphorus, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable hydrogen, aluminium, calcium, Magnesium, and particle size distribution. The data were subjected to an analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test for a significant difference in the physico-chemical properties of the soils. The pH result showed near-neutral to alkaline conditions, which range from 7.3 to 7.6. Organic carbon ranged from 2.3–2.9, available phosphorus ranged from 2.1–4.1, exchangeable hydrogen was less than 7.0, which showed the alkalinity of the soil, magnesium ranged from 0.7–1.1, aluminium ranged from 0-0.10, calcium concentration ranged from 2.2–1.87, The study of soil physico-chemical characteristics under the three tree species and control indicated that soil conditions could be influenced by agroforestry. The study, therefore, recommends farmers embrace agroforestry for improved soil physico-chemical properties. Keywords: Agroforestry, plant biomass, physico- chemical, organic carbon.

Keywords

• : Agroforestry
• plant biomass
• physico- chemical
• organic carbon

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