Influence of Agroforestry Systems on Microclimate and Fruit Quality in Mango Orchards of Zamfara State

Agroforestry integration with mango (Mangifera indica) orchards offers potential benefits for microclimate amelioration, soil health improvement, and carbon sequestration in the semi-arid agricultural landscapes of North West Nigeria. In Zamfara State, mango orchards are frequently managed as monocultures exposed to extreme temperatures and low humidity, conditions that negatively affect fruit quality and post-harvest life. This study investigates the influence of three agroforestry configurations, mango-moringa, mango-parkia, and mango-monoculture control, on orchard microclimate parameters and mango fruit quality attributes in Gusau, Zamfara State. Microclimate data including canopy temperature, relative humidity, and photosynthetically active radiation were continuously logged over a full fruiting season. Fruit quality measurements included total soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and shelf life. Results indicate that mango-moringa agroforestry systems maintained significantly lower orchard temperatures and higher relative humidity compared to monoculture orchards, with corresponding improvements in fruit total soluble solids and post-harvest shelf life by 28 percent. Mango-parkia configurations showed intermediate microclimate moderation effects. The study recommends mango-moringa agroforestry as a climate-smart orchard management strategy for mango producers in Zamfara State and similar semi-arid zones of North West Nigeria. Keywords: agroforestry, mango, microclimate, fruit quality, Zamfara State