Range Lands as Affected by Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Agroforestry under Semi-Arid Condition of Khartoum State (Omdurman)

Abstract

The present study was initiated with the investigate the effect of agroforestry and seasonality (during two successive years) on five range species using moringa tree in the model. The study utilized an enclosure located in a peri-urban area in west Omdurman within Khartoum state. 960 meters square was divided into five blocks were allocated for the plantation with five range species; one used as a control and the other for agroforestry experimentation. Each block was divided into 4 plots and subplots as replicates where range species were randomly selected for plantation trials. Measured parameters included days to germination, flowering and seed setting as well as productivity dry matter yields (ton/hectare). The nutritive value was analyzed for preand post-flowering physiological status. Soil samplings were done before and after plantation for the study of soil minerals and pH. The results showed that agroforestry showed significant (P ≤ 0.001) positive effects for all range species. During the year 2014, the highest yield was obtained by Dactyloctnium aegyptium (90 Ton), followed by Farsetia longisiliqua Decne (21Ton), then Lasiurus scindicus Henrard (14Ton), Clitoria ternatae (7 Ton) and finally Alysicerpusmonilifer (2.1 Ton). During the year 2015, the highest yield was obtained by Lasiurus scindicus Henrard (2489 Ton)followed by Clitoria ternatae (289 Ton), then Dactyloctnium aegyptium (92Ton)then Alysicerpus monilifer (91Ton) and Farsetia longisiliqua Decne(90 Ton). The effect of year on control and agroforestry treatment, was significant (P ≤ 0.001) with better yield for year 2015. Nearly all range species showed the same days for germination (~ 8 days), while Moringa showed longer days (21days). For the nutritive value of the plants, crude protein (CP) contents increased in postcompared with pre-flowering. CP increased for Moringa (P ≤ 0.01), Dactyloctnium aegyptium and Clitoria ternatae (P ≤ 0.05). Dry matter (DM) increased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) only in Moringa, whereas, both Dactyloctnium aegyptium and Clitoria ternatae showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in DM. Ether extract content decreased with post-flowering for all plant species, but significant differences were only observed with Moringa (P ≤ 0.01), Lasiurus scindicus Henrard and Clitoria ternatae (P ≤ 0.05). Significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in ash contents were observed for all plant species with post-flowering except for Moringa which showed significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase. Anaylsised soil showed significant improvement after plantation as compared before plantation, however, soil salinity and phosphours was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) reduced due to plantation. It could be concluded that the use of agroforestry in range could greatly improve range condition.