Assessment of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties on a Toposequence of an Erosion Site in Ikeduru, Southeastern Nigeria

Year 2022, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 292 - 307, 31.12.2022

Patricia Oriaku , Christopher Obineche , Ezechıke Nkechi Udochukwu , Ezema Patience Chinasa

https://doi.org/10.46592/turkager.1170683

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess soil physic-chemical properties of an erosion site in Ikeduru, Imo State Nigeria, which has experienced land degradation over the years. Three profile pits were dug, described and samples collected for the physico-chemical laboratory analysis. Data obtained were analyzed using Genstat Discovery, Edition 4 for a CRD experiment. The outcome shows soils was deep, fine weak, dark brown, brown, red and dark reddish brown in the Munsell colour code. An LSD, a correlation at 5% probability level was used to separate the means significantly. Correlation investigation was carried out to explain relationships among selected physico-chemical properties of the studied soil. The particle size distribution indicated high sand content and low clay content in the three profiles selected with SCL as dominating textural class, except for 1.85 g cm-3 bulk density which was observed to be safe in all the profile pits examined, the silt ─ clay ratio was low (<1), except at the surface soil in the foot-slope (1.09). Soil pH (KCl) was moderately acidic at the summit. The organic matter had significant positive correlations with TN (r = 0.99***), Ca (r = 0.85**), Mg (r = 0.59*), K (r = 0.61*) and ECEC (r = 0.74**). Phosphorus maintained significant positive relationships with all basic cations with correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.51* for K to 0.59* for Ca. Total exchangeable acidity had a significant (P<0.001) negative relationship with %BS (r =-0.98***). It has been seen that the main causes of erosion are unprofessional land use forms.

Keywords

Soil erosion, Particle size, Soil properties, Soil texture toposequence

References

• Adekayode F and Akomolafe D (2011) Creating a soil data base in a reconnaissance soil fertility. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(9): 748-754.
• Akamigbo FOR (1999). Influence of land use on soil properties of the humid tropical regions. p. 23 – 27.
• Akamigbo, FOR and Igwe CA (1990). Morphology geography genesis and taxonomy of three soil series in eastern Nigeria. Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research 7: 33-48.
• Akamigbo FOR and Asadu CLA (1986). The ınfluence of toposequence on some soil parameters in selected areas of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Soil Science, 6: 35-46.
• Bremner JM and Mulvaney CS (1982). Total -Nitrogen in: Methods of soil analysis part 2. AL page, RH Millar and DR Keeney editions. American Society of Agronomy Madison, W1. pp. 595-624.
• De Geus JG (1973). Fertilizer guide for the tropics and subtropics. Ed.2, p.774.
• El–Swaify SA (1994). Problems of land degradation in humid and sub-humid regions. p. 24-33. in L.S. Bhushan (ed.) 8th Int. Soil Conservation Conference, New Delhi, India 4-8 December, 1994. p. 34-40.
• Enwezor WO, Ohiri AC, Opuwaribo, EE and Udo, EJ (1990). Literature review on soil fertility investigation in Nigeria. Federal ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Lagos.
• Esu IE, Akpan-Idiole AU, Eyong MO (2008). Characterization and classification of soils along a typical hillslope in Afikpo Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil And Environment 8: 1-6.
• Esu IE (1991). Soil characterization, classification and Survey, Professor of soil science, University of Calabar Nigeria.
• FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) (2006), Guideline for Social Description, 4th ed, Rome.
• Gee GW and Or DS (2002). Particle size analysis. In methods of soil analysis. Dan, D.J and G.C. Topps (eds) part 4 physical methods. Soil Science Society of America Book series No 5, ASA and SSSA Madison, W.I p. 225 – 293.
• Grossman RB and Reinch TG (2002). Bulk density and liner extensibility. In methods of soil analysis part 4. Physical methods soil science society of America. Book series No.5 ASA and SSA Madison, W1, p. 201-228.
• Jackson ML (1973). Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi.
• Juo NA and Moorman PO (2000). Representative of toposequence of soils in southern Nigeria and their pedology. In: characterization of soils in relations to their classification and managements for crop production DJ Green land (Ed). Clarendo Press Oxford, p. 10-29.
• Medugu NI, Majid RM and Choji ID (2008). A comprehensive approach to drought and desertification in Nigeria: A brief evaluation of government policies. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 19(6): 690-704.
• McLean EO (1992). Aluminum. In page, Miller RH, Keeney DR (Eds). Methods of soil analysis, Part 2, Am. SOC Agron Madison WL p. 978-998.
• Mbagwu JSC (1996). Effect of soil erosion on productivity of agriculture. Soil Science American Journal 48: 828-833.
• Morgan RPC (1991). Tropics in Applied Geography: Soil Erosion. Longman Group Ltd. London. p. 39-41.
• Moorman FR (1987). In GreenLand, DJ /ed/ Characteristics of Soil in relation to their classification and management for crop production. Clarendon Press Oxford, p. 10-29.
• Nelson DW and Summers E (1982). Total C, organic matter. Miller RH and Keeny DR (eds) method of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties 3rd edition
• Noma SS, Tanko II, Yakubu M, Dikko AU, Abdullahi AA and Audu, M (2011). Variability inthe physico- chemical properties of the soils of Dundaye District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. In Hassan WA. Kyiogom, UB. Tukur HM, Ipinjolu JK, Maigandi SA, Singh A, Ibrahim ND, Dikko AU, Bashir YA and Muhammad N (Eds). Mobilizing agricultural research towards attaining food security and Industrial growth in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 45th annual conferences of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria held at the Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria, 24th to 28th Oct.
• Noma SS, Ojanuga AG, Ibrahim SA and Iliya MA (2004). Detailed soil survey of the Sokoto- Rima flood plains at Sokoto, Nigeria. In Salako FK, Adetunji MT, Ojanuga AG, Arowolo TA and Ojeniyi SO (Eds). Managing Soil resources for food security and sustainable environment. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Conf. of SSSN/University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria Dec. 6-10, 2004.
• Nwosu OC, Osodeke VE and Ohaeri JE (2018). Forms and Profiles Distribution of Phosphorus soils along a toposequence of Amaoba – IME, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, Nigeria. Agricultural Journal, 49(1), 101-108.
• Obi ME (1990). Soil physics: A compendium of lecture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. p. 103.
• Ohaeri, JE and Eshett ET (2011). Phosphorus forms and distribution in selected soils formed over different parent materials in Abia State of Nigeria. Agro-science journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension, 10(3): 28-37.
• Ogunkunle A.O (1993). Variation of some soil properties along toposequences in Quartile Schist and Banded genesis in Southeastern Nigeria Geoderma, 30(4): 399-402.
• Okorafor OO, Akinbile C and Adeyemo AJ (2017). Soil erosion in South Eastern Nigeria: A Review. Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), Volume V, Issue IX, September 2017.
• Olsen SR. and Sommers LE (1982). Phosphorus in: methods of soil and analysis part 2 (eds). Lage, A.L, Miller RH, Keeney OR. American Society of Agronomy Madism Wisconsis, p. 15-72.
• Pimentel D (2006) Soil erosion: A food and environmental threat. Journal of Environmental Development and Sustainability, 8(1): 119-137.
• Rahman RMd, Shi ZH and Cai Chongfa (2009). Soil erosion hazard evaluation—An integrated use of remote sensing, GIS and statistical approaches with biophysical parameters towards management strategies. 220, Issues 13-14, 17 July 2009, p. 1724-1734.
• Sharu MB, Yakubu M, Noma SS and Tsafe AI (2013). Characterization and classification of soils on an agricultural landscape in Dingyadi District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (June, 2013), 21(2): 137-147.
• Thomas GW (1996). Soil pH, Soil acidity. In: methods of analysis parts (eds) SSSA Book Series. p. 159-165.
• Wang X and Gong Z (1998). Assessment and analysis of soil quality changes after years of reclamation in sub-tropical China. Soil and Tillage Research. 48: 339-335.
• Wikipedia (2022). https://www.wikipedia.org. (24.09.2022).
• Yakubu M, Baraya S and Noma SS (2011). Assessment of soil and water quality along river Kadarko in Sanyinna District, Sokoto State. In Hassan WA, Kyiogom UB, Tukur HM, Ipinjolu JK, Maigandi SA, Singh A, Ibrahim ND, Dikko AU, Bashir YA and Muhammad N (Eds). Mobilizing agricultural research towards attaining food security and Industrial growth in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conferences of the ASN held at the Faculty of Agriculture, UDUS, Nigeria, 24th to 28th Oct.