Salinity Status of the Soils of a Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production in fragile soils of the Sudano-Sahelian agro-ecological zone requires a better knowledge of its salinity and sodicity problems for appropriate management practices. The study was carried out to evaluate the salinity indicators of the soils of Bade Local Government Area (LGA), situated in the Sudano-Sahelian ecological zone of Yobe State, Nigeria. Soils were randomly sampled from each of the 10 agricultural areas of the LGA at 0-20cm depth. Samples collected were composite based on location and depth for laboratory analysis. Shapiro–wilks normality test indicated that the data varies significantly from a normal distribution p<0.05. Descriptive statistics was carried out on the data and basic salinity parameters were calculated therefrom. The level of soil salinity was measured by electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil/water suspension, while total dissolved solids (TDS) and salinity tolerance rate (EC_se) were determined from the soil texture and EC values. Results obtained showed that the soils of the area are small to moderate dispersion existed across the areas for the soil salinity properties studied. The pH values were slightly acidic with a median of 6.45; EC_se median value was 1.75dSm^-1 and a wider inter quartile range (IQR) of 1.54 – 4.76dSm^-1. Total dissolved solids (TDS) ranged from very low (44.8 mmol/L) to marginal (908.8 mmol/L). Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) ranged from 0.94 to 11.81%, with a median (interquartile range) of 3.99 (1.68 – 6.95%). Medium values were recorded on the salinity indices. Therefore best soil and water management practices such as incorporation of organic residues and manure, efficient use of inorganic fertilizers and improve drainage are required to prevent salts build up in the area.

Keywords

• Salinity,Sudan,Sahel,Yobe state,Nigeria

References

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