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Assessment of Site Index and Site Quality for Azadirachta indica A. JUSS Plantation in Warwade, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria 1,2Salami K.D*, 1Abubakar L., 3Kankomi D.A., and 1Jibo A.U. 1,2Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutse, Nigeria. 2Forest Ecology and Conservation Unit, Center for Arid Zone Ecology, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. 3Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. *Corresponding Authors’ Contact Detail: E-mail Address ✉: foristsalam@yahoo.com Accepted September 09, 2023 Documentation of site index and soil characteristics for harvesting of neem must be known due to the improvement of the database for the study site. Therefore, the study was carried out in the Warwade plantation to investigate the growth attributes, site quality and index of neem plantation. Double line transects 200m apart were laid with two plots of equal size (30m × 30m) for the collection of floristic information and a 1 x 1m sample plot was established in each of the main plots for soil assessment. Diameter at breast height and height were accessed with the aid of diameter tape and spigeal relascope while the volume and basal area were calculated. The soil samples were analyzed in a laboratory for physiochemical properties while the derived site index equation used in the study area was SI = exp[ ln(Hd)- b1 (A-1) 141.26.60m3]. The result showed that the site had a total volume and Basal area of 141.26.60m3 and 339998.19m2 respectively. The study area is sandy loamy with 83% of sand, 4% of silt and 14% of silt respectively. The area is acidic but with a low amount of nitrogen which results from farming. The site index showed that the site is dominated by trees, 10m in height with a harvesting age of 30 years was found appropriate for the plantation. The study showed that soil texture is one of the most important factors influencing the physical and chemical properties of the soil and nutrients of the plantation. Therefore, selective harvesting, proper farming activities, and further re-establishment of plantations in reserve should be encouraged. Key words: Assessment, Site index, Site quality, Neem plantation and Warwade dam. Full Text PDF(271 KB)
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