THE EFFFECT OF SOIL TYPES ON THE GERMINATION AND GROETH OF NEEM SEED (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) IN MAIDUGURI NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The effect of soil types on the germination and growth of Azadirachta indica (neem) was examined using three distinct soil types: loamy, sandy, and clay soils. The study focused on parameters such as germination count, plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area to determine how soil characteristics influence the early stages of neem growth. The results revealed that loamy soil produced the highest germination count, with a mean of 4 ± 1.73 in the first week, which gradually decreased to 2.33 ± 2.088 by the fourth week, while sandy soil showed moderate germination rates, and clay soil had the lowest, with no seeds germinating after the third week. In terms of plant height, sandy soil resulted in the tallest plants, with an average final height of 19.28 cm ± 2.09, followed by loamy soil at 15.6 cm ± 1.69, while clay soil produced no growth at all. The number of leaves was highest in sandy soil (20.25 ± 4.27 leaves), followed by loamy soil (17.67 ± 4.51), while clay soil plants had no leaves. For leaf area, loamy soil supported the largest leaf area at 1.67 cm² ± 4.51, whereas sandy soil had an average area of 20.25 cm² ± 4.27, and clay soil showed no measurable leaf area. These findings indicate that loamy soil provided the best environment for germination and growth, supporting strong seedling development, while sandy soil promoted moderate growth. Clay soil, with its compact structure and poor drainage, proved unsuitable for neem seedling growth. This study underscores the critical role of soil type in determining the success of Azadirachta indica cultivation, highlighting the importance of choosing appropriate soil for optimal growth and productivity