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

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.

References

  • Adesodun, J.K., Adeyemi, E.F., Oyegoke, C.O., 2007. Distribution of nutrient elements within water-stable aggregates of two tropical agro-ecological soils under different land uses. Soil and Tillage Research 92(1-2): 190-197.
  • Adeyolanu, O.D., Ogunkunle, A.O., 2016. Comparison of qualitative and quantitative approaches to soil quality assessment for agricultural purposes in Southwestern Nigeria. Cogent Food and Agriculture 2: 1149914
  • Adeyolanu, O.D., Ogunkunle, A.O., 2017. Soil quality assessment for sustainable land use and management. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 13(6): 1 – 11.
  • Aikore, O.D., 2002. A comparison of qualitative and quantitative approaches to soil quality assessment. M.Sc. Dissertation. Agronomy Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 50 – 52.
  • Andrews, S.S., Karlen, D.L., Cambardella, C.A., 2004. The soil management assessment framework: A quantitative soil quality evaluation method. Soil Science Society of America Journal 68(6): 1945-1962.
  • Are, K.S., Babalola, O., Oke, A.O., Oluwatosin, G.A., Adelana, A.O., Ojo, O.A., Adeyolanu, O.D., 2011. Conservation strategies for effective management of eroded landform: Soil structural quality, enrichment ratio and runoff water quality. Soil Science 176(5): 252-263.
  • Ayoade, J.O., 2002. Introduction to climatology for the tropics. John Willey and Son. Chicherter, UK. 210p.
  • Bonanomi, G., D’Ascoli, R., Antignani, V., Capodilupo, M., Cozzolino, L., Marzaioli, R., Puopolo, G., Rutigliano, F.A., Scelza, R., Scotti, R., Rao, M.A., Zoina, A., 2011. Assessing soil quality under intensive cultivation and tree orchards in Southern Italy. Applied Soil Ecology 47(3): 184-194.
  • Brown, L.E., 2005. Outgrowing the Earth: The Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures. Earthscan, Earth policy Institute, London, UK. 239p.
  • Chen, Z.S., Hseu, Z.Y., 1997. Total organic carbon pool in soils of Taiwan. Proceedings of National Science Council ROC Part B: Life Sciences 21: 120 – 127.
  • Chen, Z.S., Hseu, Z.Y., Tsai, C.C., 1998. Total organic carbon pools in Taiwan rural soils and its application in sustainable soil management system. Soil and Environment 1: 295 – 306. [in Chinese]
  • Doran, J.W., Parkin, T.B., 1994. Defining and assessing soil quality. In: Defining and assessing soil quality for a sustainable environment. Doran, J.W., Coleman, D.C., Bezdicek, D.F., Stewart, B.A. (Eds.). SSSA Special Publication No 35, Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, USA pp.1 – 21.
  • FAO, 2014. World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy. 192p. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3794e.pdf
  • Feller, C., Balesdent, J., Nicolardot, B., Cerri, C., 2001. Approaching functional soil organic matter pools through particle-size fractionation. Examples for tropical soils. In: Assessment methods for soil carbon. Lal, R., Kimble, K.M., Follet, R.F. (Eds). Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, USA. pp. 53-67.
  • Giller, K.E., Cadisch, G., 1997. Driven by nature: a sense of arrival or departure. In: Driven by nature: Plant litter quality and decomposition. Cadisch, G., Giller, K.E., (Eds.). CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp.393 – 399.
  • Gugino, B.K., Idowu, O.J., Schindelbeck, R.R., Van Es, H.M., Wolf, D.W., Thies, J.E., Abawi, G.S., 2007. Cornel soil health assessment training manual. Edition 1.2. Cornel University, Geneva, New York, USA. 51 p.
  • Havlin, J.L., Beaton, J.D., Tisdale, S.L., Nelson, W.L., 2005. Soil fertility and nutrient management: An introduction to nutrient management. 7th edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA. 515p.
  • Ibewiro, B., Sanginga, N., Vanlauwe, B., Merckx, R., 2000. Nitrogen contribution from decomposing cover crop residues to maize in a tropical derived savanna. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 57(2): 131-140.
  • Merrington, G., Fishwick, S., Barraclough, D., Morris, J., Preedy, N., Boucard, T., Reeve, M., Smith, P., Fang, C., 2006. The development and use of soil quality indicators for assessing the role of soil in environmental interactions. Environment Agency. Science Report SC030265, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol. 241p.
  • Mudorch, G. Ojo-Atere, J.O., Colborne, G., Olomu, E.I., Odugbesan, E.M., 1976. Soils of the Western State Savanna in Nigeria, Volume 4. Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development, Tolworth Tower, England. CTBI Publications, 145 pp.
  • Negassa, W., 2001. Assessment of important physicochemical properties of Dystric Udalf (Dystric Nitosols) under different management systems in Bako area, Western Ethiopia. Alemaya University, School of Graduate Studies, (McS Thesis), Ethiopia. 93p.
  • Neves, C.S.V.J., Feller, C., Guimarães, M.F., Medina, C.C., Filho, J.T., Fortier, M., 2003. Soil bulk density and porosity of homogeneous morphological units identified by the Cropping Profile Method in clayey Oxisols in Brazil. Soil and Tillage Research 71(2): 109-119.
  • Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), 2007. 2007 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP)/Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: http://www.nimet.gov.ng/seasonal-rainfall-predictions
  • Paudel, B.R., Udawatta, R.P., Anderson, S.H., 2011. Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on soil quality parameters for grazed pasture and row-crop systems. Applied Soil Ecology 48(2): 125-132.
  • Rosegrant, M.W., Paisner, M.S., Meijer, S., Witcover, J., 2001. 2020 global food outlook: trends, alternatives and choices. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington,D.C., USA. 18p. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/david.harvey/AEF811/Development/IFPRI2020Food.pdf
  • Soil Survey Staff, 2014. Keys to soil taxonomy. 12th Edition. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Washington DC, USA. 372 pp.
  • Solomon, D.F., Fritzsche, F., Tekalign, M., Lehmann, J., Zech, W., 2002. Soil organic matter composition in the subhumid Ethiopian highlands as ınfluenced by deforestation and agricultural management. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66(1): 68-82.
  • Sparling, G., Liburne, L., Vojvodic-Vukovic, M., 2003. Provisional target for soil quality indicators in New Zealand. Landcare Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 224 p
  • USDA, 2006. Food Security Assessment 2005. United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Resrarch Service, GFA-17, USA.
Year 2018, Volume: 7 Issue: 4, 337 - 345, 01.10.2018
https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.455128

Abstract

References

  • Adesodun, J.K., Adeyemi, E.F., Oyegoke, C.O., 2007. Distribution of nutrient elements within water-stable aggregates of two tropical agro-ecological soils under different land uses. Soil and Tillage Research 92(1-2): 190-197.
  • Adeyolanu, O.D., Ogunkunle, A.O., 2016. Comparison of qualitative and quantitative approaches to soil quality assessment for agricultural purposes in Southwestern Nigeria. Cogent Food and Agriculture 2: 1149914
  • Adeyolanu, O.D., Ogunkunle, A.O., 2017. Soil quality assessment for sustainable land use and management. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 13(6): 1 – 11.
  • Aikore, O.D., 2002. A comparison of qualitative and quantitative approaches to soil quality assessment. M.Sc. Dissertation. Agronomy Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 50 – 52.
  • Andrews, S.S., Karlen, D.L., Cambardella, C.A., 2004. The soil management assessment framework: A quantitative soil quality evaluation method. Soil Science Society of America Journal 68(6): 1945-1962.
  • Are, K.S., Babalola, O., Oke, A.O., Oluwatosin, G.A., Adelana, A.O., Ojo, O.A., Adeyolanu, O.D., 2011. Conservation strategies for effective management of eroded landform: Soil structural quality, enrichment ratio and runoff water quality. Soil Science 176(5): 252-263.
  • Ayoade, J.O., 2002. Introduction to climatology for the tropics. John Willey and Son. Chicherter, UK. 210p.
  • Bonanomi, G., D’Ascoli, R., Antignani, V., Capodilupo, M., Cozzolino, L., Marzaioli, R., Puopolo, G., Rutigliano, F.A., Scelza, R., Scotti, R., Rao, M.A., Zoina, A., 2011. Assessing soil quality under intensive cultivation and tree orchards in Southern Italy. Applied Soil Ecology 47(3): 184-194.
  • Brown, L.E., 2005. Outgrowing the Earth: The Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures. Earthscan, Earth policy Institute, London, UK. 239p.
  • Chen, Z.S., Hseu, Z.Y., 1997. Total organic carbon pool in soils of Taiwan. Proceedings of National Science Council ROC Part B: Life Sciences 21: 120 – 127.
  • Chen, Z.S., Hseu, Z.Y., Tsai, C.C., 1998. Total organic carbon pools in Taiwan rural soils and its application in sustainable soil management system. Soil and Environment 1: 295 – 306. [in Chinese]
  • Doran, J.W., Parkin, T.B., 1994. Defining and assessing soil quality. In: Defining and assessing soil quality for a sustainable environment. Doran, J.W., Coleman, D.C., Bezdicek, D.F., Stewart, B.A. (Eds.). SSSA Special Publication No 35, Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, USA pp.1 – 21.
  • FAO, 2014. World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy. 192p. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3794e.pdf
  • Feller, C., Balesdent, J., Nicolardot, B., Cerri, C., 2001. Approaching functional soil organic matter pools through particle-size fractionation. Examples for tropical soils. In: Assessment methods for soil carbon. Lal, R., Kimble, K.M., Follet, R.F. (Eds). Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, USA. pp. 53-67.
  • Giller, K.E., Cadisch, G., 1997. Driven by nature: a sense of arrival or departure. In: Driven by nature: Plant litter quality and decomposition. Cadisch, G., Giller, K.E., (Eds.). CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp.393 – 399.
  • Gugino, B.K., Idowu, O.J., Schindelbeck, R.R., Van Es, H.M., Wolf, D.W., Thies, J.E., Abawi, G.S., 2007. Cornel soil health assessment training manual. Edition 1.2. Cornel University, Geneva, New York, USA. 51 p.
  • Havlin, J.L., Beaton, J.D., Tisdale, S.L., Nelson, W.L., 2005. Soil fertility and nutrient management: An introduction to nutrient management. 7th edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA. 515p.
  • Ibewiro, B., Sanginga, N., Vanlauwe, B., Merckx, R., 2000. Nitrogen contribution from decomposing cover crop residues to maize in a tropical derived savanna. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 57(2): 131-140.
  • Merrington, G., Fishwick, S., Barraclough, D., Morris, J., Preedy, N., Boucard, T., Reeve, M., Smith, P., Fang, C., 2006. The development and use of soil quality indicators for assessing the role of soil in environmental interactions. Environment Agency. Science Report SC030265, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol. 241p.
  • Mudorch, G. Ojo-Atere, J.O., Colborne, G., Olomu, E.I., Odugbesan, E.M., 1976. Soils of the Western State Savanna in Nigeria, Volume 4. Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development, Tolworth Tower, England. CTBI Publications, 145 pp.
  • Negassa, W., 2001. Assessment of important physicochemical properties of Dystric Udalf (Dystric Nitosols) under different management systems in Bako area, Western Ethiopia. Alemaya University, School of Graduate Studies, (McS Thesis), Ethiopia. 93p.
  • Neves, C.S.V.J., Feller, C., Guimarães, M.F., Medina, C.C., Filho, J.T., Fortier, M., 2003. Soil bulk density and porosity of homogeneous morphological units identified by the Cropping Profile Method in clayey Oxisols in Brazil. Soil and Tillage Research 71(2): 109-119.
  • Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), 2007. 2007 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP)/Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: http://www.nimet.gov.ng/seasonal-rainfall-predictions
  • Paudel, B.R., Udawatta, R.P., Anderson, S.H., 2011. Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on soil quality parameters for grazed pasture and row-crop systems. Applied Soil Ecology 48(2): 125-132.
  • Rosegrant, M.W., Paisner, M.S., Meijer, S., Witcover, J., 2001. 2020 global food outlook: trends, alternatives and choices. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington,D.C., USA. 18p. Available at [Access date: 31.10.2017]: https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/david.harvey/AEF811/Development/IFPRI2020Food.pdf
  • Soil Survey Staff, 2014. Keys to soil taxonomy. 12th Edition. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Washington DC, USA. 372 pp.
  • Solomon, D.F., Fritzsche, F., Tekalign, M., Lehmann, J., Zech, W., 2002. Soil organic matter composition in the subhumid Ethiopian highlands as ınfluenced by deforestation and agricultural management. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66(1): 68-82.
  • Sparling, G., Liburne, L., Vojvodic-Vukovic, M., 2003. Provisional target for soil quality indicators in New Zealand. Landcare Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 224 p
  • USDA, 2006. Food Security Assessment 2005. United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Resrarch Service, GFA-17, USA.
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Olateju Dolapo Adeyolanu This is me

Kayode Stephen Are This is me

Ayodele Olumide Adelana This is me

Gabriel Akinboye Oluwatosin This is me

Oluwabunmi Aderonke Denton This is me

Olufunmilayo Titilayo Ande This is me

Olugbenga Egbetokun This is me

Lucia Ogunsumi This is me

James Alabi Adediran This is me

Publication Date October 1, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 7 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Adeyolanu, O. D., Are, K. S., Adelana, A. O., Oluwatosin, G. A., et al. (2018). Assessing soil quality issues for crop production function based on farmers’ perception: An experience from Itapaji Watershed in Southwestern Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 7(4), 337-345. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.455128