Comparative growth, biomass production, nutrient use and soil amelioration by nitrogen-fixing tree species in semi-arid Senegal

Performance of Acacia senegal (L.) Wild Seedlings Growth under some Tree Manures and NPK Fertilizers in Nursery Site

“…Trees and forests accumulate organic matter and nutrients within their ecosystems through biogeochemical cycling, capturing atmospherical depositions and biological fixation. Through the biogeochemical mechanism, trees are capable to cycle and immobilize huge amounts of nutrients in their biomass and the solum (Montagnini et al 2000;Young 2002;Deans et al 2003;Harmand et al 2004;Laclau et al 2010;Carnol and Bazgir 2013). However, much of the nutrients immobilized in the woody biomass are not readily available, and would be sequestered until the end of the tree revolution age or exploitation by the human being.…”

Gas Exchange, Photochemical Efficiency, and Leaf Water Potential in Three Salix Species

“…For example, some plants modulate growth activity response to the environmental conditions (De Lillis and Fontanella 1992), some show very sensitive stomatal control of water loss (Tenhunen et al 1990, Long et al 1994, Sala and Tenhunen 1994, and others adjust the activity of photosystem 2 (PS2) to environment perturbations (Baker 1991). Therefore, a large number of indigenous species usually have fast and active adaptation in response to the instant changes of environmental conditions (Deans et al 2003). However, the response pattern to environmental habitats from nonindigenous species is still poor understood in an arid area where exotic species are artificially planted.…”

Invasive Plant Species and Biomass Production in Savannas

“…Two examples of trials of non-indigenous and indigenous trees in African savannas are discussed below to illustrate the point. Deans et al (2003) working in semi-arid site in Senegal compared 10 year old indigenous and non-indigenous species with some of their provenances being included while Jama et al (1989) compared growth rates of 29 multipurpose fodder species both indigenous and nonindigenous at 6 year old in a semi-arid savanna climate in Kenya (Table 4). Data adapted from; a Senegal data adapted from Deans et al (2003).…”

“…Deans et al (2003) working in semi-arid site in Senegal compared 10 year old indigenous and non-indigenous species with some of their provenances being included while Jama et al (1989) compared growth rates of 29 multipurpose fodder species both indigenous and nonindigenous at 6 year old in a semi-arid savanna climate in Kenya (Table 4). Data adapted from; a Senegal data adapted from Deans et al (2003). Only species for which above ground and leaves biomass was available were included b Kenya data adapted from Jama et al (1989).…”