Alley Cropping For Soil and Agricultural Sustainability in South Eastern Soils of Nigeria

The restoration and maintenance of soil fertility in south eastern soils of Nigeria is a basic critical environmental problem. It is especially serious because their soils lack plant nutrients and organic matter (OM) and intense rainfall experienced in the area erodes vulnerable top soil. The nitrogen fixing ability of tree legumes when used in alley cropping allows them to grow on difficult sites subject to erosion, low fertility or other adverse soil conditions. Alley once established can create conditions favourable for growth of other species leading to a balanced plant ecosystem. Tree legumes are a good source of OM for green manure their dry foliage contains about 2.5-5%N and leaf material incorporated into the soil improves soil fertility, moisture and nutrient retention and general tilth. At the same time by improving soil structure, erosion can be reduced.