Soil management with cultivated fallows in humid and subhumid Africa

Abstract

This paper examines those variations in soil properties of woody fallows that may be expected as a result of the use of the tree Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) in fallow management in the forest areas of Nigeria. A comparative analysis of fallows of the tree and natural fallows was carried out. The results show that differences might be expected between the soil under the two fallow types with respect to pH, boron and available phosphorus. It is suggested that the tree is a suitable species for fallow enhancement in terms of soil restoration but that its use would involve some modification of soil management practices such as the amount and type of fertilizers applied. Key words: Gliricidia sepium, fallow management, soil restoration, woody fallows