Effect of Neem Tree Canopy (azadirachta Indica) on Some Selected Physical Properties of Soils in Kano University of Science and Technology Teaching and Research Farm, Gaya

The large-scale plantation of Neem trees have been used in the Sudan and Saheli- an region of Nigeria to combat desertification, deforestation, soil erosion, and reduce excessive global warming. The research was aimed to investigate the ef- fect of Neem tree canopy (Azadirachtaindica) on soil Bulk density and soil poros- ity in Kano University of Science and Technology Teaching and Research farm, Gaya, Kano State. The farm was divided into four quadrants, and three Neem trees were selected from each quadrant. Soil samples were collected at distances of 2m, 4m, 6m (from tree girth), and outside the Neem tree shades and were ana- lyzed in the laboratory. Core samples were also taken from each sampling point and were analyzed for bulk density determination. The results of Bulk density show a significant difference (P<0.05) across the four quadrants, with Quadrant 4 having the highest Bulk density mean value (1.61gcm-3). There is no significant difference (P>0.05) in Bulk density across distances from Neem tree girth. How- ever, bulk density mean value was found to be increasing across distances of 2m, 4m and 6m from tree girth. The results of soil porosity show no significant dif- ference (P>0.05) across the four quadrants and across distances from Neem tree girth. The porosity mean values outside shade is found to be the least (36.5%). The low Bulk density mean values and high porosity mean values of the area found under the Neem tree canopy is suitable for alley cropping as well as pos- sess good aggregate stability, hence, reduces the susceptibility of the soils to ero- sion. Further research should be done to study the macro and micronutrients com- position of soils under the Neem tree canopy, which will aid in fertility manage- ment of the soils.