Abstract

Imogie, A. E., Udosen, C.V., Ugbah, M. M. and Utulu, S. N

The study investigated a long-term effect of Leucaena leucocephala a leguminous tree crop on the soil physicochemical properties and its possible effect on the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production of oil palm. L. leucocephala had a highly significant (P<.01) effect on soil physico-chemical properties than the control. The soil under Leucaena leucocephala exhibited relatively high mean weight diameter, water retention, total soil available N, available P and Exchangeable cation, than the control, and thus enhanced fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. Mean fresh fruit bunch yield, over a three year period, was significantly higher (P<0.05), with FFB yields of 10.93 tons / ha in plots with L. leucocephala as against 6.8 tons / ha in the control plots.