A Review of Soil Seed Bank from Studies conducted in Khartoum and White Nile States Areas-Sudan

Abstract

The objective of this work was to make a comprehensive review about the soil seed bank studies and researches carried out in the Sudan. It is meant to avail all information about the soil seed bank that can be gathered in one place so that researchers and students can benefit from such a compendium for their future studies and research on the soil seed bank. The review examined all publications related to the subject and made all necessary comparisons between the various research papers and studies undertaken and captured in the country. Generally, the procedure used was sampling. Soil samples were taken from different depths and the number of seeds were counted, and their type was identified. In all studies it was found that live seeds were found in the upper soil horizons and number decreases towards the lower horizons. The studies almost covered all types of plant in these areas that include mainly grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees. The studies recommended more studies and research in soil seed bank and it must be linked to climate change. New approaches must be introduced and up-to-date equipment and devices should be used to improve the accuracy of results from analysis. However, because of limitation of logistic and time the review limits all critical examination of information in Khartoum and White Nile States. The review in Khartoum state covered some forest reserves and arable lands in addition to range enclosures. The most important locations covered were the Mogran forest, Al mata, Abu Zaid, Alsalama, and Alhowida reserves in the Eastern Nile area. In the White Nile the work covered the area of El Gaitaina.