Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 20 ISSUE 4
Written by Obunwa Rosemary EZE, Hemen Emmanuel JIJINGI, Kodak Udemgba EMERSON, Ijasini John TEKWA
Information about effects of agricultural land uses on soil properties is essential for sustainable utilization of soil resources and conservation of the ecosystem. This study was carried out to assess the impact of agricultural land use types on selected quality indicators of some soils of Amalla in Nsukka, South-East Nigeria. A total of 15 composite soil samples were collected each from cassava farm, maize farm and oil-palm plantation farm at 0-15 cm soil depths in 5 different study locations. Three farms practicing each of the land use type at each location were taken as replicates. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done following the generalized linear model of Statistix 9.1 laid in a Completely Randomized Block Design. The results shows that the mean values of sand, silt and clay contents ranged from 74.60−80.80%, 11.00−14.00% and 7.39−11.40% in the farm locations, respectively. The mean soil bulk density ranged from 1.18−2.05 g/cm3 and was significantly (P<0.05) different among the land use types, except at Ibagwa farm. The sand and silt contents of the soils did not differ significantly (P<0.05) among the land use types in most of the study locations. The clay content differed significantly across all land use types in all the sampled locations, and was significantly higher under the oil palm compared to both cassava and maize farming systems. The significantly (P<0.05) higher soil organic carbon (OC) content was found under the oil palm land use, while the lowest organic carbon of 0.34% was found in the cassava farm locations. Soil organic matter (OM) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the oil palm (2.1% – 2.9%) and lowest under the cassava farm (0.59%−1.3%). Generally, the OC content (0.34%−1.34%) recorded under the various land use types was well below the bench mark for most crop requirements, and soil's structural stability might fail. The soils are thus, predisposed to greater risk of low fertility and water erosion. More detailed studies on environmental and economic aspects of these land uses are strongly recommended.
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