Effect of Forage Legume Incorporation on Selected Soil Chemical Properties in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

ABSTRACT The Nigerian savanna soils are low in fertility, organic matter and cation exchange capacity. The traditional method of improving the fertility and productivity of soils of the savanna is through natural fallowing which typically takes three to five years. The method is no longer suitable for most farmers because of the rapid growth of population in developing countries and the resulting intensive cultivation of agricultural land. In this study, a short fallow technique was adopted using forage legumes. Selected soil chemical properties were also evaluated. Incorporation of most of the legume residues significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil organic carbon more than control treatment especially when 5.0t ha−1 of organic matter is incorporated. The application rate of 5.0 t ha−1 gave higher soil organic carbon content than the 2.5 t ha−1 rates. However, the incorporation of maize stover and legume residue resulted in significantly higher soil organic carbon than the initial rate of 5.65 g kg−1. Exc...