<i>Ipomea asarifolia</i> (Desr), A Potential Cover Crop for Soil Fertility Improvement in The Sudan Savanna Region, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effect of Ipomea asarifolia on physico -chemical properties of the soils at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto main campus, in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria was investigated. The study determined the effect of the plant on some physical and chemical properties of soils, found out the nutrient retention ability of the plant in the soils and the variation of the effect with distance within the plants canopy. A total of 48 samples were collected from four different sites within Usmanu Danfodiyo University main Campus; VC complex area, University stadium area, Behind new library area and opposite IBB centre area and four distances from the plant (control, plant base, 0.5 m and 1 m from the plant base). Samples were collected for use in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment with three replicates. Soil pH, Organic C, CEC, total N, available P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations were determined, particle size analysis was also carried out. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), where significant F values were obtained, the means were separated by Duncan multiple range tests (DMRT). The difference among the sites and the distances were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01) for the chemical properties determined. The soils of the University stadium area had the highest CEC and total N; 4.28 g kg -1 and 0.41 g kg -1 respectively, while the soils of the IBB centre area had the least organic carbon, CEC, and available phosphorus; 3.23 g kg -1, 2.00 cmol kg -1 , 9.00 mg kg -1 respectively, with the effect almost following the order; University stadium area > VC complex area > New library area > IBB centre area. On the other hand, the effect on all the parameters was found to decrease with distance from the plant with the base of the plant having the highest organic C, CEC, total N, available P and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg; 6.83 g kg , 0.21, 0.38, and 0.45 cmol kg -1 respectively. The effect was attributed to the accumulation of organic matter around the plant and its ability to prevent erosion by both water and wind thus retaining nutrients making it a suitable cover crop for soil fertility improvement.

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“…This agrees with the result of Abdullahi et al (2011), who reported high Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of means based on six replicates. Means in a column followed by same letter(s) are not significantly different (Ns), * = significant (P < 0.05).…”

“…The significant (P< 0.05) decrease in sand and increase in clay proportions coupled with high though not significant increase in silt in I. asarifolia inhabited soil are attributable to its thick vegetation cover. Presence of the Ipomoea cover in soil has been reported in several researches (Aliero and Anka, 2001;Mazza, 2006 andAbdullahi et al, 2011) to provide effective protection against erosion due to the binding ability of the rhizoids in the root system, in addition to its firmly rooted shoot networks, which are not easily displaced by the forces of wind and water erosion.…”

Isolation and Identification of Soil Mycoflora in the Upland and Lowland Soils of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto State

“…The research area (upland and lowland) are located at about ten kilometers north of Sokoto metropolis. Sokoto State lies on an altitude of 308 m above sea level, within the Sudan savanna belt [10,11]. The climate is a hot semiarid type and characterized by long dry season from October to May and short rainy season from June to September, with an annual mean rainfall of 724mm for a period of six years [11,12].…”

Antagonistic bacteria in the soil after Daucus carota L. cultivation

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In recent years a lot of attention has been drawn to the possibility of using cover crops, intercrops and mulch in the cultivation of different plant species (Univer et al 2009, Borowy 2013, Patkowska and Konopiński 2014a. They can have a positive effect on the microbiological activity of the soil and they enrich the soil with organic substances in addition to reducing weed infestation (Abdullahi et al 2011, Patkowska and Konopiński 2013a,b, Orzech and Wanic 2014, Patkowska and Błażewicz-Woźniak 2014. Moreover, they increase the population of soil-borne antagonistic microorganisms, which has a positive effect on the health of the cultivated plants Konopiński 2013c, Patkowska et al 2015).Ant agoni stic b ac ter i a B acillu s spp.

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