Authors:
Bello, H. B.
, Usman, D. D. Adeosun, M. O. Coker, A. O. Koko, J. O.
and Ajayi, O.A. ,Nigeria |
Abstract:
This research work was carried out in Hadejia-Nguru wetland zone (HNWz) in the semi-arid
region of the northern part of Nigeria. This region has become a major concern to researchers
due to frequently reported soil nutrient decline worsened by climate change and declining
environmental quality. This research work investigates the effects of some trees on availability of
minerals like potassium (K), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and organic carbon (O.C) on small
scale farmlands in the study area. The results obtained from this work, showed that some
indigenous savanna trees are deliberately left on farms in a manner that is likened to
Agroforestry. Predominant trees found on farms in the study area include; Anogeissus leiocarpus
(26%), Faidherbia albida (21%), parkia biglobasa (18%) and Vitellaria paradoxa (9%). Soil
analysis carried out on soil samples collected at 4m, 8m, 12m from the trees found on the farms
showed statistically significant differences in available soil minerals at p<0.05.The nitrogen,
potassium, phosphorus and organic carbon availability ranged between 0.16 to 0.26%, 0.1024 to
0.2467 cmol./kg, 58.34 to 65.05 ppm and 1.89 to 2.42 cmol./kg respectively in the study area.
Interviews conducted amongst four hundred and fifty (450) small scale farmers agreed that crops
that are closer to trees found on the farms yield better than crops that are farther away. This
implies that crops closer to tree stands on farms have access to more minerals than those farther
apart and this supports better yield for farmers. |
