Optimum Land Use System for Soil Maintenance: Case of Agroforestry Practice in North Kordofan Gum Belt, Sudan

Abstract

Kordofan, a vast semi-arid region in mid-west Sudan, lies within the savannah zone, where bush fallow is the main production system. Due to climate change and recurrent drought spells, this farming system has been changing. The aim of this study was to analyze different agroforestry practices in the gum belt of North Kordofan with special focus on the effect of trees in improving soil fertility. Twelve villages were randomly selected in the study area, where soil samples at depths 0-20cm, 20-40cm and 40- 60cm were taken to represent both agroforestry and monoculture sites in a trial to assess the effect of trees on soil nutrients. Structured questionnaires for 164 household farmers representing 11% of the total population were conducted to identify agroforestry practices. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was used for determining the best land-use practice. Descriptive statistics, regressions, chi-squire and other related equations were used to achieve the results. The findings of the study showed that agroforestry practices have a significant effect (? .05) in improving some soil physical properties, namely bulk density, porosity and permeability, as well as they increase N, P, Ca, Mg, Cl an d HCO3 content of the soil. The study concluded that, LER=/> 1 was reported by almost 77% of the respondents, meaning that agroforestry practices are the appropriate farming systems in terms of increasing crop yields and land area saving. The study recommended that, Acacia senegal has to be integrated in all farming practices in the gum belt of North Kordofan to enhance sustainable production and stable environment.