A Study on the Soil Seed Bank in a Rangeland in the White Nile State

Abstract

This study was conducted at Getain locality in White Nile state. It lies between latitudes 15°: 13" N- 13°: 30"N and longitudes 32°: E- 33°E. The objective of this study is to investigate the soil seed bank under different conditions and practices in the study area. The soil seed bank was analyzed for the number of live and dead seeds at three depths in two types of soils within the study area. The study showed that 13 species were found in site (A) is 12 species in site (B), clay and sand soil respectively. The analysis showed the following results: the seed bank density was higher in upper soil depths as compared to the lower levels for both types of soils. It was also found that the seed density decrease with increasing depth. The live seed density ranges from 789- 7150 seed/m² where as the density of the dead seed s ranges from 2410- 12150 seeds /m². The plant species to which the live seeds belong were Chloris gayana, Panicum turgidum, Aristida adscensionis, Tribulus terestris, Cenchrus ciliaris, Schoenfeldia gracilis, Indigofera spp, Eragrostis tenella, Achyranthus aspera, Barchiaria mutica, Cenchrus biflorus, Corchorus spp and Dactyloctenium aegyptium, The plant species to which the dead seeds belong were Chloris gayana, Panicum turgidum, Aristida adscensionis, Tribulus terestris, Cenchrus ciliaris, Schoenfeldia gracilis, Indigofera spp, Eragrostis tenella, Achyranthus aspera, Brachiaria mutica, Cenchrus biflorus, Corchorus spp and Dactyloctenium aegyptium.

ANOVA results showed that there were high significant differences in the number and density of live and dead seeds within depth and species in the two sites. The study recommended reseeding and replanting the area with plant species so as to prevent more regeneration degradation with regard to the prevailing ecological condition.