Abstract
Ziziphus spina-christi is a multipurpose tree which grows naturally on the farm lands in Habru district. Since, the effects of this tree on soil and crop have not scientifically quantified; this study has been carried out with the aim of assessing the effect of Ziziphus spina-christi on soil physicochemical properties, grain and biomass yield of sorghum.Five isolated and nearly identical Ziziphus spina-christi tree growing on farm lands with similar site condition were selected and canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Soil samples from three horizontal distances: 1.2m, 2.9m and 15m with two soil depths (0–15cm and 15-30cm) were taken for analysis of soil physico- chemical properties. Three quadrates 1m x1m at each transect and distances were laid for sorghum grain yield and biomass estimation. The result shows that soil pH, EC, CEC and soil texture were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by Ziziphus spina-christi tree, whereas soil bulk density, soil moisture content, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus and exchangeable cation (Mg, Ca and K) were significantly (P<0.05) influenced mainly due to higher organic matter input through litter fall, root biomass, uptake and return of nutrients from deeper soil profiles under the tree canopies. While the grain yield of sorghum and above ground biomass were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Hence, retaining of this tree on crop land improves the soil fertility status.
Abstract from the paper’s OpenAlex record; open copy licensed cc-by-nc. Read at the source ↗
The text the model read, with the source record’s inline markup (italics, sub- and superscripts) rendered and its character entities decoded; quote offsets refer to the raw text.
Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Ziziphus did not significantly influence soil pH, EC, CEC or texture.
- Interactor
- Ziziphus spina-christi
Ziziphus spina-christie0 - Outcome
- soil pH, EC, CEC and soil texturee0
Not reportedTaxon
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“soil pH, EC, CEC and soil texture were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by Ziziphus spina-christi tree”
Claim · model-written summary
Ziziphus significantly influenced soil bulk density, moisture, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus and exchangeable cations.
- Interactor
- treee0
- Outcome
- soil bulk density, soil moisture content, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus and exchangeable cation (Mg, Ca and K)e0
- Qualifier
- under the tree canopiese0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“soil bulk density, soil moisture content, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus and exchangeable cation (Mg, Ca and K) were significantly (P<0.05) influenced mainly due to higher organic matter input through litter fall, root biomass, uptake and return of nutrients from deeper soil profiles under the tree canopies.”
Claim · model-written summary
Sorghum grain yield did not differ significantly across the tree distances.
- Outcome
- grain yielde0
SorghumNot reportedSettingDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“While the grain yield of sorghum and above ground biomass were not statistically significant (p>0.05).”
Claim · model-written summary
Sorghum above-ground biomass did not differ significantly across the tree distances.
- Outcome
- above ground biomasse0
Not reportedSettingDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“While the grain yield of sorghum and above ground biomass were not statistically significant (p>0.05).”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors conclude that retaining Ziziphus on cropland improves soil fertility.
- Outcome
- retaining of this tree on crop lande0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Hence, retaining of this tree on crop land improves the soil fertility status.”