Effects of Tree Planting on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Content in Nigerian Agroforestry Systems

Suleiman AA¹*, Yit Arn Teh¹, Marion Pfeifer¹, Jade Galloway¹ and Otene IJJ^2
1School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
²Department of Soil & Environmental Management, Kogi State University (KSU) Anyigba Kogi State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Suleiman A.A, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

Published: June 30, 2023

DOI: 10.55162/MCAES.04.120

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Abstract  

Agroforestry systems have the potential to increase carbon and nitrogen content of the soil. The increase of these elements promises agroforestry to be a useful practice for mitigating climate change, through an increased sequestration of carbon, and improving the food security of the area it is implemented. This is particularly important for Nigeria as it is a country identified as vulnerable to climate change. However, there is a lack of data to support the theory that agroforestry systems increase carbon and nitrogen content over time. In this study it was explored how tree planting in Nigerian oil palm agroforestry systems can influence the carbon and nitrogen content of the soil as the age of the agroforestry increases. At oil palm plantations aged 4, 27, 58 and 60 a total of 40 samples were taken from 2 depths (0-15cm and 15-30cm) and were shipped to Newcastle University for elemental analysis. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the carbon and nitrogen content of the soil and the age of the plantation for both depths (ANOVA, p<0.001). However, it was found that the youngest plantation had the greatest percentage of carbon and nitrogen measured in the soil with an average carbon content of 2.66% and an average nitrogen content of 0.212%. The results found were unexpected as the carbon and nitrogen content decreased as the age of the plantation increased, which could be due to the different crops grown and land management of the individual plantations. Overall, future research should focus on studying a greater number of agroforestry systems with a greater variety of ages to determine where the carbon and nitrogen content peaks. Additionally, the same study should be carried out in a set number of years to compare the results overtime, thus eliminating the factors of crop grown and land management practices.

Keywords: Agroforestry; plantation; climate change; food security

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