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Root distribution of Adansonia digitata, Faidherbia albida and Borassus akeassii along a climate gradient in Senegal

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Abstract

In order to understand the ecophysiology of sub-Sahelian tree species and to optimize their use in agroforestry, studies on tree root distribution are essential. The aim of this study was to investigate the root distribution of three sub-Sahelian tree species, Adansonia digitata, Faidherbia albida and Borassus akeassii, in three sites along a precipitation and soil gradient in Senegal. Root density maps observed on trench walls and soil-coring methods were used to characterize variations in root density of mature trees. Coarse and fine root distribution was strongly influenced by the site conditions, with root density being highest in the humid site for all tree species. B. akeassii had the highest root density compared to the other two species. Fine root biomass was concentrated in the 0–30 cm soil layer for A. digitata and from 30 to 60 cm for B. akeassii and F. albida. Laterally, the fine root biomass decreased substantially with increasing distance from the trees. Understanding the root distribution of sub-Sahelian tree species across climatic conditions could help to reduce competition between crops and perennials in agroforestry parklands.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Saliou Fall (LCM) and team for access to facilities during root analysis, and Dr. Cheikh O. Samb and M. Momar Wade for assistance during the site prospection. We warmly thank the populations of the three different sites for assistance and permission to work in their fields. We are grateful to Prof. Bo Markussen of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and Mr. Aubin H. Abdoulaye, statistical engineer at ENSAE-Dakar, for help with statistical analysis. We thank Dr. Antoine Sambou (Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor) and Dr. Hyacinthe Sambou (Cheikh Anta Diop University) for help with the map in Fig. S1 and two reviewers for their constructive comments. The work was supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), grant no. 600035540.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Fatou Gning & Anders Ræbild

  2. Centre National de Recherches Forestières/Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (CNRF/ISRA), Route Des Pères Maristes, BP 2312, Dakar, Sénégal

    Fatou Gning & Diatta Marone

  3. UMR Eco&Sols, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, IRD, InstitutAgro Montpellier, Montpellier, France

    Christophe Jourdan

  4. UMR Eco&Sols, CIRAD, 34398, Montpellier, France

    Christophe Jourdan

  5. LMI IESOL, Centre IRD-ISRA de Bel Air, Dakar, Sénégal

    Christophe Jourdan

  6. Department of Plant Biology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, BP: 5005, Dakar Fann, Dakar, Senegal

    Daouda Ngom

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  1. Fatou Gning
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Correspondence to Fatou Gning.

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Gning, F., Jourdan, C., Marone, D. et al. Root distribution of Adansonia digitata, Faidherbia albida and Borassus akeassii along a climate gradient in Senegal. Agroforest Syst 97, 605–615 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00813-7

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