Effects of tree species and distance from the tree on some physical and chemical properties of an entisol in semi-arid zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Selective planting or maintaining trees in the farmer’s field may recapture nutrients leached from the sub-soil and the decomposition of fallen leaves ensures recycling of nutrients. A study was conducted to determine the effects of four tree species and distance from the tree on physical and chemical properties of soils. Treatments consisted of four tree species (Parkia biglobosa, Faidherbia albida, Azadirachta indica and Acacia nilotica) and four different distances (2, 4, 6, and 8 m) from the base of trees. Sixteen composite soil samples (0-30 cm) and sixteen core soil samples (For bulk density determination) were collected for the study. Four composite and four core samples (at 2, 4, 6, and 8 m distance each) from the vicinity of each of the tree species were collected. Results showed no significant effect of the distance from the base of the trees on physico-chemical properties of the soils. However, soils between 2-4m distances tend to have better physico-chemical properties. Tree species had significant (P<0.05) effect on pH, total exchangeable bases (TEB), percentage base saturation (PBS), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), bulk density (BD), particle density (PD), and porosity of the soils. Soils under P. biglobosa and F. albida had significantly (P<0.05) higher TEB, PBS and available P than A. indica and A. nilotica. Soils under P. biglobosa, F. albida and A. indica were better structured (low BD) than under A. nilotica and the soils under P. biglobosa and A. indica were more porous than F. albida and A. nilotica. Planting and maintaining P. biglobosa and F. albida could be more beneficial than A. nilotica and A. indica species in an Entisol in the semi-arid environment.