Several recent studies have indicated vesicular voids (pores) in

the gravel from stone-line soils (Muller and Bocquier, 1986; Amouric,

1986). The effects of porous gravel on soil-water behavior are not

easily inferred and depend on the porosity and pore-size distribution of

the gravel. In addition to possible storage of plant-available water,

the gravel porosity may also act as a sink/source for the storage of

leachable nutrients, and thereby, harbor nutrients from convective-water

flow.

 The purpose of this dissertation was to assess several behavioral

characteristics regarding water and nutrient movements through a stone-

line soil from the western highlands of Cameroon. Specifically, the

objectives were:

 1. To differentiate between the relative effects of possible

 water and nutrient stresses on field crops grown on a stone-

 line soil; and

 2. To determine if preferential water flow and immobile-water

 regions should be considered in describing nutrient-leaching

 behavior in these soils.