¹Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

²Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B 5054, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Authors’ Contact Detail: E-mail Addresses ✉: salami.d@fud.edu.ng; foristsalam@yahoo.com; Phone Number ☎: Tel: +234703 429 4371; 07052335806

Accepted April 18, 2022

This study was carried out in the year 2021 at Kiyawa community which aimed to investigate stem volume, litterfall and soil status in two different shelterbelts. 1-kilometer line transect was laid with four sample plots established (30 × 30m) which were used for collecting data on the tree with an interval of 100m from each plot. Also, 1×1m mini-plots were used for measuring quantity of litters. Diameter at breast height and height were accessed with the aid of meter rule and Haga altimeter while volume and Basal area were calculated. Litterfall was collected, weighted with the aid of sensitive weight and oven-dried for 48hrs under 70^oC constant temperature. Inferential statistic such as ANOVA and t-test were used for analysis. The results showed that Azadirachta indica sampling plots had the highest volume of 1941.55m³ followed by the Eucalyptus camaldulensis hotspot which had the least value of 695.7m³. The physical property of soil in the sites showed that the Neem shelterbelt had the highest percentage of sand (83.00%) and lower percentage of silt (4.00%) and clay (13.00%) compare to Eucalyptus plots which are sand (81.00%), silt (5.5%) and clay (13.50%.) respectively. Neem hotspot had the highest mean nitrogen and phosphorus content of 1.05 g/kg and 10.24 mg/kg followed by Eucalyptus hotspot with 0.19 g/kg and 9.25 mg/kg respectively. Eucalyptus sample plot had the highest mean value of potassium, pH and litterfall which was 0.44cmol/kg, 6.32 and 717.8g±3.96 compare to Neem sample plots which are 0.20cmol/kg,6.24 and 694.6g±1.43. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) among parameters for both chemical and physical properties. Litterfall proved to be significant. The Shelterbelt serves as a protection for the soil as well as promoting the fertility and productivity of the soils to support a flourishing vegetation types in the area. Therefore, it is recommended that Neem Shelterbelt supported the performances of stem volume, chemical and physical soil properties in Kiyawa, Dutse Jigawa State.

Key words: Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Kiyawa shelterbelts, litterfall, Physico-chemical parameters, soil fertility and stem volume.

Full Text PDF(375 KB)