DECOMPOSITION AND NUTRIENTS RELEASE FROM FOLIAGE OF LEGUMINOUS TREE SPECIES IN THREE ALFISOLS SOIL

  • A. M. Bichi Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture Ahmadu Bello University P.M.B 1044 Samaru, Zaria.
  • G. O. Baba Savanna Forestry Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B 1039 Samaru, Zaria.
  • R. K Olaifa Savanna Forestry Research Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria P.M.B 1039 Samaru, Zaria
  • M. A. Musa Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture Ahmadu Bello University P.M.B 1044 Samaru, Zaria.
Keywords: Decomposition, Foliage, Alfisols, Nutrient, Leguminous trees

Abstract

Rejuvenating agricultural farming system to ensure continuous production and promoting soil fertility, leguminous tree leaves used as manure are potential alternative to commercial fertilizer for agricultural crop production. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate rate of decomposition and nutrients release from foliage of five leguminous tree species (Albizia lebbeck, Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Delonix regia and Parkia biglobosa) incorporated in three alfisols (sandy, loamy and clayey) at Bayero University Kano School Farm. The treatment consists of foliage of five leguminous trees in three alfisols soils and no incorporation as control resulting in a total of eighteen treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times using standard methods of
laboratory analysis to determine macro and micro nutrients released over three months periods. The results obtained showed significant difference in macro and micro nutrients released in the three soils. Significantly higher amount of macro nutrients (organic Carbon, available Phosphorus and total nitrogen), CEC, micro nutrients (iron and zinc) and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, Na and K) were obtained from decomposed foliage of leguminous trees than the control, with D. sissoo foliage resulting in higher amount of nutrients than other foliage and control. Similarly, foliage incorporated in loamy soil resulted in higher release of nutrients than those recorded from clayey and sandy soils. The interaction of leguminous trees and soil types also had significant effect on nutrients released with D. sissoo incorporated in loamy soil having significantly higher nutrients released than all other treatment combinations. There were significant correlations among different soil properties as influenced by leguminous trees and soil types, and these variations could form the basis for their selection in improving degraded soil and to improve soil fertility in the study areas.

Published
2025-03-25
Issue
Vol 20 No 1 (2025): VOL 20
Section
Articles