Assessing soil quality issues for crop production function based on farmers’ perception: An experience from Itapaji Watershed in Southwestern Nigeria

Year 2018, Volume: 7 Issue: 4, 337 - 345, 01.10.2018

Olateju Dolapo ADEYOLANU Kayode Stephen ARE Ayodele Olumide ADELANA Gabriel Akinboye OLUWATOSİN Oluwabunmi Aderonke DENTON Olufunmilayo Titilayo ANDE Olugbenga EGBETOKUN Lucia OGUNSUMİ James Alabi ADEDİRAN

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.455128

Cited By: 1

Abstract

To
successfully manage soil quality for sustainable crop production, there is need
to identify issues affecting it. These are problems facing the capacity of soil
to perform its functions and thus reducing its productivity.  In addition, the similarities and differences
between farmers’ perception of soil quality issues and that of soil scientist
are very pertinent. This study, which was carried out at Itapaji watershed in
Ikole local government area of Ekiti state, aims at identifying soil quality
issues using participatory approach and conventional method. Diagnostic survey
was carried out using participatory approach involving farmers’ judgement using
questionaires. . The resultswere analysed to identify the soil quality issues
from farmers’ perspectives. For conventional method, major soil types were
identified and soil quality issues were identified using soil management
assessment framework. The relationship between the soil issues from farmers’
interview and soil analysis were established by correlation analysis at α0.05.
Soil quality issues identified by farmers are soil compaction, low soil
fertility, termite infestation, crop wilt, hardpan formation, erosion, poor
drainage and land use intensification. Low soil fertility is the most prominent
with about 36.2 % impact on crop production in the watershed. Conventionally
from soil analysis, CEC and organic matter are low which indicate low soil
fertility; there is high acidity, shallow soil depth with presence of plinthite
and hard pan. The farmers’ perception of soil quality and that of soil
scientists correlate well (r = 0.70). There is therefore need for promotion of
farmers’ participation by providing a forum for articulation of their opinions
in mitigating low soil quality.

Keywords

Soil quality issues, participatory, conventional, watershed

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