EFFECT OF SHELTERBELTS ON SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE REGIMES OF SOILS AT DAMBATTA(KANO STATE) NIGERIA
EFFECT OF SHELTERBELTS ON SOIL MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURE REGIMES OF SOILS AT DAMBATTA(KANO STATE) NIGERIA
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Date
1982-05
Authors
UJAH, JOB EDWIN
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Abstract
Any accelerated increase in world food production
depends on the improvement of agriculture in the tropical
and sub-tropical regions of the world. To achieve these
objectives, there must be an adequate relationship between
forest belts and arable lands.
The influence of forests on the amelioration of
adverse weather conditions in adjacent farmlands was examined
at Dambatta in Kano State of Nigeria by measuring the
surface wind speed, air and soil temperatures, soil moisture
storage and crop yield in sheltered and unsheltered farmlands.
The results showed that shelterbelts improved the weather
condition of farmlands in the area through the reduction of
surface wind speed immediately behind the shelterbelt by an
average of 20.8%. With increased distances from belt,
percentage wind reduction decreased to about 5.2% at a
distance of 300m. away from the belt, The observed air
temperature of 34.7C and 35.6'C in the protected areas 20m
away from the belt in sites 1 and II respectively were higher
than the corresponding figures of 34.4.C and 34.C in the
open farmland. The mean soil temperatures at the depth of
5cm were 35.7.C and 36.6.C on sites 1 and II respectively
immediately behind the belts and 35.C and 35.8.C in
the open sides.
The total soil moisture storage to a depth of 100cm
on the protected land was higher than in the unprotected
area. It averaged 533.6mm for site 1 and 554.7 for site
II were 502mm and 491. 2mm respectively.
The mean yield of millet on site 1 at 40m from the
belt was significantly higher (1% level) than the mean
yield at other distances. For site II, yield was significantly
higher (5% level) than the mean yield at other
distances from the belt.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of
Agriculture in partial fulfillment of
the Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria.
May, 1982
Keywords
SHELTERBELTS,, MOISTURE,, TEMPERATURE REGIMES,, SOILS AT DAMBATTA