Disseminating earlier research findings on the decomposition of litters of agroforestry tree legumes for sustainable soil productivity and food security in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

The decomposition rate of three Agroforestry tree legumes was determined using litter bags at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Onne, Rivers State to understand the specific food crops to be grown between the biologically different tree species in South-South Nigeria. Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb decomposed faster than Millettia laurentii and Inga edulis. Overall, a lineal downward trend is visible, representing the litters’ exponential decay.  For decomposition slowed down when about 2% of the original amount was left. This occured when Millettia laurentii had 36 % of its leaves remaining and Ina edulis Mart. had 75 % h of its leaves remaining. The time required for the litters to lose 50% of their dry weights was approximately one week for E. cyclocarpum, twelve weeks for M. laurentii and more than sixteen weeks for I. edulis. The three tree species decomposed at different rates: Enterolobium>Millettia>Inga.  Litters containing Enterolobium cyclocarpum are recommended for maize and vegetable cropping. Inga edulis is recommended for cassava, yam, plantain, edible fruit and medicinal trees, while Millettia laurentii is recommended for pineapple.