Abstract
This paper examines the dynamics of organic matter and nutrients under planted fallows of Gliricidia sepium in South Western Nigeria, as an investigation into the behaviour of soils under such fallows. Data on soil characteristics were collected from thirty fallow fields ranging in age from one to eight years. The data sets were described using the descriptive statistics. Furthermore, the relationships between the soil properties and the age of fallow were evaluated with simple bivariate correlation analysis. Compared with published data and trends in natural fallow, the study shows that the progress of the planted fallow leads to greater organic matter build-up and increase in nitrate-nitrogen and potassium concentration in the soil. It also shows that the biomass retain greater amount of nutrients during the fallow.
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Adejuwon, J.O., Adesina, F.A. Organic matter and nutrient status of soils under cultivated fallows: an example of Gliricidia sepium fallows from South Western Nigeria. Agroforest Syst 10, 23–32 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118724
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118724