Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria

Aliyu Jamila; Grace Lamba Luka; Ibrahim Usman; Ibrahim Abdulwahab Jimoh; Usman Nasir Ibrahim

Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of decades of continuous cultivation on soil properties at the Institute for Agricultural Research Farm in Samaru, Nigeria. Spanning over 50 years of intensive farming, the study utilizes legacy data from a 1984 soil survey and compares it with present-day findings to evaluate changes in soil properties. Fieldwork covered nine soil units across 338.50 hectares, involving site identification and soil sampling. Results reveal significant changes in soil properties over time. Soil texture exhibited increased silt content in soil units P3 (T = 1.99, P = 0.097, MD = -90.00 g kg⁻¹), and P6 (T = 1.43, P = 0.263, MD = 88.00 g kg⁻¹) due to tillage-induced pulverization, while sand content varied (soil units: P1 (T = 0.13, P = 0.904, mean difference (MD = 60.00 g kg⁻¹) and P5 (T = -2.97, P = 0.031, MD = -28.33 g kg⁻¹) depending on erosion and deposition patterns. Soil chemical properties demonstrated notable increases in pH (P2 (T = -6.94, P = 0.001, MD = -1.39), and A2 (T = -12.97, P = 0.0001, MD = -2.21), linked to accumulation of exchangeable bases, particularly in poorly drained units. Organic carbon (P2 (T = 2.21, P = 0.075, MD = 4.11 g kg⁻¹) and P6 (T = 1.05, P = 0.338, MD = 4.55 g kg⁻¹)) and total nitrogen levels showed declines in some soil units due to continuous cropping of non-leguminous crops and increased mineralization, while other units benefited from legume cultivation. Cation exchange capacity and base saturation decreased across most units, reflecting nutrient depletion and reduced organic matter inputs. The findings emphasize the detrimental effects of continuous cultivation on soil fertility. To mitigate these effects and improve soil health, the study recommends adopting sustainable practices such as organic and inorganic fertilizer application, conservation tillage, and proper residue management. These interventions are critical to restoring soil productivity and ensuring agricultural sustainability in the region.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Ecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Aliyu Jamila ^* This is me
Nigeria

Grace Lamba Luka This is me
Nigeria

Ibrahim Usman This is me
Nigeria

Ibrahim Abdulwahab Jimoh This is me
Nigeria

Usman Nasir Ibrahim This is me
Nigeria

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

December 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Jamila, A., Luka, G. L., Usman, I., Jimoh, I. A., & Ibrahim, U. N. (2025). Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research, 9(2), 224-233. https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ

AMA

1.Jamila A, Luka GL, Usman I, Jimoh IA, Ibrahim UN. Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria. EJAR. 2025;9(2):224-233. https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ

Chicago

Jamila, Aliyu, Grace Lamba Luka, Ibrahim Usman, Ibrahim Abdulwahab Jimoh, and Usman Nasir Ibrahim. 2025. “Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 9 (2): 224-33. https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ.

EndNote

Jamila A, Luka GL, Usman I, Jimoh IA, Ibrahim UN (December 1, 2025) Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 9 2 224–233.

IEEE

[1]A. Jamila, G. L. Luka, I. Usman, I. A. Jimoh, and U. N. Ibrahim, “Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria”, EJAR, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 224–233, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ

ISNAD

Jamila, Aliyu - Luka, Grace Lamba - Usman, Ibrahim - Jimoh, Ibrahim Abdulwahab - Ibrahim, Usman Nasir. “Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research 9/2 (December 1, 2025): 224-233. https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ.

JAMA

1.Jamila A, Luka GL, Usman I, Jimoh IA, Ibrahim UN. Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria. EJAR. 2025;9:224–233.

MLA

Jamila, Aliyu, et al. “Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria”. Eurasian Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 9, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 224-33, https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ.

Vancouver

1.Aliyu Jamila, Grace Lamba Luka, Ibrahim Usman, Ibrahim Abdulwahab Jimoh, Usman Nasir Ibrahim. Long-Term Impacts of Continuous Cultivation on Soil Properties at The Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Nigeria. EJAR [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;9(2):224-33. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA75WT67KZ