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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2005 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 326-329
DOI: 10.3923/jbs.2005.326.329
Effects of Mulch from Four Agroforestry Species on the Moisture Content, Temperature and Microbial Population in a Humid Tropical Soil
D. O. Oke and I. T. Ologun

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of leaf mulch of Tithonia diversifolia, Cajanus cajan, Grevillea robusta and Acacia mangium on the population of microorganisms in a humid tropical soil. The effects of the mulch materials on soil temperature and moisture were also evaluated. The study was carried out between April and August 2003. Microbial population was significantly affected by type of mulch. The highest population was observed under T. diversifolia mulch and the lowest under A. mangium mulch. The correlation between microbial population and soil moisture (0.18) and between microbial population and soil temperature (0.13) suggest that the changes in the measured soil physical characteristics did not result in corresponding changes in soil microbial population. Soil moisture was high under A. mangium mulch.

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How to cite this article
D. O. Oke and I. T. Ologun, 2005. Effects of Mulch from Four Agroforestry Species on the Moisture Content, Temperature and Microbial Population in a Humid Tropical Soil. Journal of Biological Sciences, 5: 326-329.

Keywords: Mulch

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