COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF SELECTED TREE LEGUMES ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AN ALFISOL IN EKITI STATE
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Date
2016-03
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Publisher
ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science
Abstract
Soils in the tropics commonly suffer from multiple nutrient deficiencies due to continuous cultivation. The
negative impact of in organic fertilizer on soil and environment appears to have made its application on soil to be less
effective. This study thus examined the effect of tree legumes on physio-chemical properties of an alfisol. Soil samples
from three year fallows of Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and natural fallow were collected at 0-
15 cm and 15-30 cm depth. The samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The result revealed that
leguminous species improved the textural class of the soil from loamy sand to sandy loam at 0-15 cm depth. Bulk density
along the soil depth increases under agroforestry species fallows than the natural fallow. Chemical properties along the soil
depths significantly (p < 0.05) improved under leguminous fallows with pH range (7.02-7.19), N (0.61% - 2.79%) and P
(211.71ppm - 242.11ppm) when compared with the soil under natural fallow with pH (5.96 - 6.77), N (0.10% - 0.73%)
and P (206.15ppm-224.88ppm) Also there is a significant reduction in values of Na (66.29ppm- 50.48ppm ) and K
(75.52ppm -52.22ppm) in soils under agroforestry species along the soil depth, when compared with natural fallow
Na(74.21ppm - 67.83ppm) and K (90 .0ppm - 76.66 ppm).
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
tree legumes,, agroforestry,, physico-chemical,, alfisol,, ekiti state.