ABSTRACT
Contribution of Anacardium
occidenta/e (cashew) to site quality was assessed at Isuochi in Umunneochi
Local Government Area of Abia State. Three plots of 0.3ha each comprising a 25
-year old Anacardium occidentale plantation, a cassava cultivated farmland with
4 -year history of continuous cropping and a 5 -year old fallow land were used
in the study. Parameters determined were types of floral species and their
densities and soil physico - chemical characteristics as well as some chemical
characteristics of cashew leaf litters. Four sampling sub-plots were delineated
on each of the three plots. From the four sub-plots serving as replicates,
quadrats of 2mx2m were used in sampling for the parameters. Plant species and
their population densities were determined from each quadrat. The chemical
characteristics of the cashew leaf litters were also assessed in each sub-plot.
The soil chemical characteristics at 0-15cm and 15-30cm soil depth were
determined. Counting of plant species and the determination of the soil
chemical characteristics were done using a randomized complete block design. A
total of 6 species of plants with a mean total density of 49. 75 plant species
per 0.3ha occurred in the cashew plantation, with Amorphophallus abyssinicus
(30%) and Abrus precatorius (25%) being more abundant. In the cassava plot a
total of 12 plant species were identified with a mean total density of 162.75
plant species per 0.3ha.Solanum fulvum with a mean population of 40. 75 (25%)
plants was more abundant in this plot. A total of 26 plant species with a mean
total density of 683. 75 plant species per 0.3ha were encountered in the fallow
plot. Dactyladenia barteri with a mean population of 110.50 (16.2%) plants was
more abundant in the fallow plot. The species richness index for A. occidentale
plantation, cassava farm and fallow plots were 0.43, 0.47 and 0.50
respectively. Again, results showed that the soil chemical characteristics in
the XII cashew were significantly lower than that in the fallow area. N, P, K,
OC and OM were highest in both soil layers of the fallow land. Also, Ca, Na and
Fe levels decreased in the cashew plot compared to the fallow plot. However, N
and K were least in both soil layers of the cassava-cultivated land. The lowest
pH values (high acidity) and Ca level were recorded in the cashew plantation in
both soil layers. The cashew leaf litter has high content of lignin which
retards decomposition of organic materials. This limited the contribution of
the vegetation to soil fertility particularly N, p, K, OC, Ca, Na and Fe. This
may make A. occidentaes not to be suitable for amelioratimg soil with low
productivity.
NDELEK, W (2024). Contribution of Anacardium occidentale ( cashew) to site quality at Isuochi, Abia State:- Ndelekwute, Stanislaus C.. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/contribution-of-anacardium-occidentale-cashew-to-site-quality-at-isuochi-abia-state-ndelekwute-stanislaus-c-7-2
WUTE, NDELEK. " Contribution of Anacardium occidentale ( cashew) to site quality at Isuochi, Abia State:- Ndelekwute, Stanislaus C." Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Jan. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/contribution-of-anacardium-occidentale-cashew-to-site-quality-at-isuochi-abia-state-ndelekwute-stanislaus-c-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
WUTE, NDELEK. " Contribution of Anacardium occidentale ( cashew) to site quality at Isuochi, Abia State:- Ndelekwute, Stanislaus C.". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Jan. 2024. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/contribution-of-anacardium-occidentale-cashew-to-site-quality-at-isuochi-abia-state-ndelekwute-stanislaus-c-7-2 >.
WUTE, NDELEK. " Contribution of Anacardium occidentale ( cashew) to site quality at Isuochi, Abia State:- Ndelekwute, Stanislaus C." Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/contribution-of-anacardium-occidentale-cashew-to-site-quality-at-isuochi-abia-state-ndelekwute-stanislaus-c-7-2