INFLUENCE OF JATROPHA CURCAS ON SOIL FERTILITY IMPROVEMENT OF DEGRADED SUDANESE SAVANNAH ALFISOLS

An attempt to provide solution to rapid soil fertility decline using biological inputs has led to the investigation of the influence of jatropha on improving soil fertility in the Sudan Savannah region of Nigeria. The excessive and unskilled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides adversely affects the soil ecosystem, leading to a decrease in crop productivity and the production of potentially harmful food unsafe for human consumption. Thus, in this study, a nursery experiment was conducted at the Department of Forestry and Wild Life Management, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil to assess the influence of Jatropha curcas plant on fertility improvement of degraded alfisol. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications and controls. Pre- and post-Jatropha planting soil samples of Jatropha seeds and cuttings with and without organic amendment were analyzed for soil physicochemical fertility parameters. Findings indicated that at the pre- and post-Jatropha planting periods, the pH of the soils was within the range of 6.77-7.02 and their texture was sandy loam and loamy sand, respectively. Moreover, Jatropha cuttings and seeds with organic amendments (CO and SO) improved major soil fertility parameters; nitrogen content N, exchangeable bases (EB), organic carbon (OC), phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) higher than Jatropha cuttings and seeds