SOIL CONDITIONS UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES IN A PART OF NIGERIA'S SEMI—A RID SAVANNA.
SOIL CONDITIONS UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES IN A PART OF NIGERIA'S SEMI—A RID SAVANNA.
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Date
1995-02
Authors
ABUBAKAR, Sani Mashi
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Abstract
This study examines the variations in Soil Conditions
among different land use types in the Kabomo basin, Katsina
State. Eight plots were selected, one was under natural
vegetation cover, three were under legume grass, arableland
and rangeland respectively and the remaining four were
fallows ranging in age from 2 to 15 years. Systematic
sampling technique was used to select soil samples from each
plot at two standard depths: namely 0-15cm (topsoil) and 20-
30cm (subsoil). Soil samples collected were analysed for
some key physical and chemical properties: texture, bulk
density, moisture content, water stable aggregates greater
than 0.50 mm, organic matter, total nitrogen, available
phosphorous, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity,
PH and base saturation. Analysis of variance and t-test
were used to test for significant differences between and
amongst the various land uses.
The results obtained vary considerably. In general
however, it was found that the mean values of soil
properties are in most cases significantly higher over the
control than the three land use types, the only exceptions
being soil bulk density and sand fractions which in most
cases are significantly higher over the various land
uses. Similarly, it was observed that most of the soil
properties were differently affected by the differences in
land use practices. The properties are also differently
affected by the differences in age of fallow. It was
observed that there are general decreases in coarsening of
soil texture and bulk density, and increases in organic
matter, nutrient elements, cation exchange capacity, base
saturation percentage, moisture content and water stable
aggregates > 0.50 mm with increase in the length of fallow
period. However, these changes were found to be less
significant over the 2 and 5 years old fallow than over the
10 and 15 years old fallows.
It was concluded that human interference with the
natural vegetation cover and the establishment of the
various land use types in the study area have caused the
degradation of soil properties, with the arable plot being
the most degraded. On the other hand, the establishment of
the fallow system in the area has produced some favourable
changes in soil condition, though the changes were found to
be more effective under the old fallow ages (1O and 15 years
old). Some suggestions were offered towards tackling the
problem of soil degradation, improving the efficiency of the
fallows and ensuring the sustainability of agriculture in
the area.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Post-graduate School,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography.
Department of Geography
Faculty of Science
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
"February, 1995