Spatial Distribution of Some Soil Chemical and Biological Properties Beneath Native Shrubs (Guiera senegalensis) in Southern Semiarid Zone of Senegal

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of wind direction on spatial distribution of soil chemical and biochemical properties surrounding the indigenous shrub Guiera senegalensis in cropped fields of the semi-arid Sahel. Changes in some soil properties were measured at the center, beneath and outside the shrub canopy in relation to the prevailing wind direction. Results showed that the typical wind speed of 5 ms-1 coming from the north-northeast (NNE), had no significant effect on the directional spatial distribution of soil pH, organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and extractible phosphorus (EP); except for EP format the central south that was significantly higher than other directional locations (8.2 mg kg-1). In contrast, soil biochemical properties such as arylsulfatase (AS), ß-glucosidase (ß-G), soil respiration (SR), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) showed a more significant influence of wind direction, except SR. The highest concentrations of AS (11,8 µg g-1 soilh-1), ß-G (75.4 µg g-1 soilh-1), and MBC (116.1 mg kg-1) soil were found at the center, at 1R, mainly in the north-southern direction. Results contribute providing a basis for developing sustainable agriculture.