The evaluation of tree growth performance and their corresponding effect on soil
nutrient status is very crucial in selection of suitable species for reclamation and revegetation of
degraded lands for their prompt recovery. This study was therefore evaluated the growth
performance and nutrient status of a 30.4 hectares’ land reforested by Newmont Ghana Gold
Limited in 2002. Five 50 x 50 m plots were conducted in pure stands of Senna siamea, Tectona
grandis, Cedrela odorata and mixed stand with an adjacent control plot. The 50 x 50 m plots
were then divided into twenty-five (25) 10 x 10 m subplots from which five were randomly
selected under each stand for growth performance and soil nutrient status assessment. The
results showed significant differences in all growth and soil parameters measured among the
stands. Among all the growth parameters measured Cedrela odorata stand generally recorded
the highest growth followed by the mixed, Senna siamea and Tectona grandis stands
respectively. The Cedrela odorata stand recorded a mean height of 17.29 m followed by 13.16
m, 12.89 m and 12.32 m for the Senna siamea, mixed and Tectona grandis stands respectively.
Mean diameter values of 24.35 cm, 19.43 cm, 17.57 cm and 16.03 cm were recorded in Cedrela
odorata, mixed, Senna siamea and Tectona grandis stands respectively. The highest levels of
soil macro nutrient, pH (6.21), organic matter (6.05 %) and organic carbon (3.51 %) content
were generally recorded under the Cedrela odorata stand. Generally, Cedrela odorata proved
to be very useful tree species for reclamation of degraded lands.
Keywords
depleted soils, nutrient level, mixed stand, pure stand, tree species
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
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