The effect of Balanites aegyptiaca, Faidherbia albida, and Tamarindus indica in nutrient enrichment of semi- arid soil and their influence on growth and yield of potted maize was investigated in university of Maiduguri campus with the objectives of evaluating the impact of the tree species on soil fertility and the distance at which the trees could supply nutrients to the soil. An experiment was conducted to test the influence of the trees on potted maize growth and yield. A total of 63 soil samples were collected before and after rainy season at varying distances of 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm and at a depth of 15 cm. The first set of twenty-seven samples were collected in May 2014 before rainy season and were compared with soil after rainy season. The second set of 36 samples were collected under and outside tree canopies in October 2014 after rainy season. The collected samples were analysed for pH, N, EC, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, and CEC following standard laboratory techniques. Potted maize experiment was conducted in completely randomized block design for eighteen weeks. The result showed that organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium was significant at (p<0.05) at all distances before and after rainy season. Soil pH were found to be significant across the distance and are mainly neutral both before and after rainy season. The soil textural class were also significant at (p<0.01) between species and across the distances. Soil under and outside canopy showed that F.albida had the highest value of nitrogen 0.31g/kg and lower value of 0.15g/kg with control treatment at distance of 30 cm. At distance 0f 60 cm F.albida had the higher value of N 0.32g/kg and lower value 0.16g/kg with control treatment. Phosphorus was significantly higher under B.aegyptiaca 14.5g/kg at distance of 30cm, lower value of 3.73g/kg under T.indica. At distance of 60 cm T. Indica had the higher value of P 6.30g/kg, lower value 4.39g/kg with control treatment. F.albida had the higher value of potassium 5.09cmol/kg, lower value 0.68cmol/kg with control treatment at distance of 30 cm.T.indica had higher value of 2.34cmol/kg, lower value 0.60cmol/kg under control treatment at distance of 60 cm and B.aegyptiaca had 0.52cmol/kg, lower under T.indica 0.38cmol/kg at 90 cm distance. Calcium were significant at (p<0.01) across the distances and between species. Maize crop grown in soil under F.albida had higher grain yield of 161.2g and control treatment had lower value of 19.97g. Maize crop grown in soil under F. albida and T.indica had better growth and yield. The result suggest that F.albida and T.indica are important agroforestry resource to sustain soil fertility and subsequently crop yield. F.lbida and T. indica could be the best choice to integrate into farming system in semi-arid zone.
semi-arid, influence on growth, yield of potted maize, effects of some tree species, Borno state, nutrient enrichment
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.