Open AccessEffects of scattered Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana Tree on Soil Properties under their Canopies in Fedis District, Easte Hararghe Zone, Oromia
Author(s) -
Musa Abdella,
Lisanework Nigatu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of plant and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2320-7035
DOI - 10.9734/ijpss/2021/v33i2030628
Subject(s) - tree canopy , canopy , soil fertility , transect , total organic carbon , environmental science , soil water , agronomy , organic matter , agroforestry , forestry , soil science , biology , geography , botany , ecology
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of scattered trees under their canopies on soil fertility status at Fedis district, East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. Accordingly, six isolated and nearly identical Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana trees were selected and the canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Soil samples from three horizontal distances levels: 2.5m, 5m and 25m with two soil depths levels (0–20cm and 20-40cm) were taken for analysis of soil physical and chemical properties and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated six times were employed. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p 0.05) influenced by both tree species. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility beneath its canopy. This may be important for the agricultural landscape health and demonstrated the scattered trees to retain on crop fields to improve soil fertility status under its canopy and on farm biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes conditions.