Effect of Parkland Ziziphus spina-christi and Mangifera indica Trees on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Sofi District, Harari Region, Ethiopia

The study was intended to investigate the effects of parkland Mangifera indica and Ziziphus spina-christi trees species on the selected physicochemical properties of soil within and outside the canopy of the tree and at varying soil depths in Sofi district, Harari Region, Ethiopia. Accordingly, twelve trees isolated and nearly similar M. indica and Z. spina-christi trees in crop field growing on similar site conditions, management practices, canopy coverage and height were selected. Soil samples were collected from under the canopy of trees, edge of canopy, outside of the canopy and three soil depth; 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm for analysis of selected soil physicochemical properties. The result of the study revealed that lower soil bulk density was observed under trees canopy and surface soil of both tree species than open field and subsurface soil (p