Effects of Eucalyptus saligna and Juniperus procera

on Soil Nutrients; Chepkoilel,Uasin Gishu

By

LADISLAUS OKOTH ADEBE

FO/049/14

Supervisor: Mr. Harrison Churu

Coordinator: Mr. Mbego

 INTRODUCTION
Background information

Tree ecosystem roles; soil physical, chemical and biological property control. Nutrient recycling and

dynamics.

Competition between Exotic and indigenous species,-forestry system (stakeholders: farmes, private, NGOs,

government) is rapidly shifting to exotic trees, hence threatening indigenous species resulting to their extinction (

common exotic species-Pines, Eucalyps, and Cyprus

Characteristics favoring exotic species; short rotation, high return, first growth, adaptability.

Adoption challenges on continuous use of exotic species/and technologies accompanying them, attributed to

inadequate information regarding their capacity in playing vital ecosystem roles such as their influence on soil

nutrient dynamics.
 Statement of the Problem

 Inadequate information on exotic tree species contribution in the ecosystem in comparison to indigenous

species.-soil fertility, nutrient dynamics.

 Adoption challenges-myths

Justification

 Low afforestation rate

Kenya's forest resources cover only around 6% of the country’s 58.2 million hectares and are estimated to be decreasing

by 2% annually. Forest cover is very low compared to the United Nations findings.

 Loss of economic returns

Kenya's economy has a very strong dependence on the forestry resources. Forestry underpins most sectors, including

agriculture, horticulture, tourism, wildlife, and the energy. In some rural areas, for instance, the forests contribute over

75% of the cash income and provide almost all of household's energy requirements. Kenya is only able to meet about 70%
 Objectives

Broad objectives

 To determine the nutrient dynamics in soils under exotic and indigenous tree species.

Specific objectives

 To determine Carbon, Phosphorus and Potassium contents in soils under Eucalyptus saligna and Juniperous

procera at different depths, at Chepkoilel (Uasin Gishu County)

Hypothesis

 There is variation of nutrient under exotic and indigenous trees

 There is variation of soil nutrients at different depths under exotic and indigenous species
 Material and Methods
Study Area Description
 The research was conducted at the University of Eldoret which lies east of Eldoret town alongside
ziwa road.
 The area experience a bimodal rainfall with annual average of 1000-1400mm.
 Being a highland the place is cold in most of the months of the year with annual average
temperature of 16.8 °C.
 the area is categorized under upper midland four (UM4) Agro-ecological zone, at an elevation of
2147m above sea level.
 Soils are friable, well drained rhodic ferralsols.
 Supports diverse crops and trees (both indigenous and exotic)
 Selection of Tree Species

Eucalyptus saligna -Most grown exotic species

-Good adaptation characteristics

-First growth

-High quality product (timber and poles)

Juniperus procera -Most popular indigenous tree

-Among most endangered tree species

-High quality timbers and poles

Soil sampling

Ten random sample points were identified under each species woodlot. Sample Point

Figure 1. Illustration of soil sampling

500g of composite soil was excavated from 0-15cm and 15-30cm at each sampling point

Samples were air dried for 48hr in a green house within University of Eldoret

Sieving was done using a 60 mesh sieve for targeted analysis

 1. Organic Carbon( Walkley and Black method)
Complete oxidation- using sulphuric acid and aqueous potassium dichromate mixture
Titration-ferrous ammonium sulphate on the unused potassium dichromate
organic carbon content of soil = difference between added and residual potassium dichromate

B−T ∗0.3∗V
%C =
W∗B
(B- blank titre, T-sample titre, W-weight of dry soil, V-volume of K2Cr2O7)
2. Available Phosphorus (Bray-2 Method)
Recovery of acid -Soluble forms of P- Done by use of a combination of HCl and NH4F
Determination of P –Colorimetric method

𝒂−𝒃 ∗𝒗∗𝒇∗𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Concentration of P mgkg-1 =
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎∗𝒘
where a = concentration of P in extract solution, b = concentration of P in the blank
sample, v = extract volume, w = weight of the air-dried sample and f= dilution factor (optional).
 3.Exchangable Potassium
Extraction – Excess ammonium acetate solution (1M NH4OAc)

Determination of Potassium in soil- by flame photometry

𝒂−𝐛 ∗𝒗∗𝒇∗𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Potassium (K) mgkg-1(ppm) =
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎∗𝒘

where a = concentration of K in the sample extract; b = concentration analyte in

the blank extract; v= volume of the extract solution; w = weight of the soil
sample
f = dilution factor.
 Data analysis

Analysis of variance-Soil nutrient content for the Eucalyptus salgina, Juniperus

procera and reference site at both depths (0-15cm and 15-30cm)

means separation - accomplished by Fischer's protected multiple comparison

method at 5% significance level

Genstat statistical package 14th edition

 Results and Discussion

Phosphorus was found to be significantlty different among the

species

10
9
8
7
6
P mgKg-1

15cm
5
4 30cm
3
2
1
0
EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA JUNIPERUS PROCERA REFFERENCE SITE