Macro and Micronutrient Status under Different Land Use Types in the University of Benin

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to ascertain the macro and micronutrient status of soils under different land uses: Arable, Fallow, Residential, and Silvicultural land. Three different sites were carefully selected for each land use (replicates). Auger points were taken at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths for each location, and samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Parameters measured included pH, TOC, TN, Av. P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S-SO4, B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, and soil particle contents. Results showed that pH in the top 15 cm ranged from very slightly acidic in silviculture and arable land to moderately acidic in fallow land, while residential land was neutral. pH, TOC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and sand content all had their highest values in the topsoil (0-15 cm), except at the pH depth (15-30 cm) of Residential and Silvicultural land, K at Silviculture, and Clay contents. At the 0-15 cm depth, arable land had the highest significant (p<0.05) values of boron, manganese, and molybdenum and recorded the least value of Fe (258.7 mg/kg). Residential area had the highest values of Cl, Cu, Fe, and Zn (20.93 mg/kg). Silvicultural land had the highest values of B and the least significant (p<0.05) values of Cl, Mn, and Zn at 0-15 cm. While in the 15-30 cm depth, B, Cl, and Cu contents did not differ significantly across land uses. Fe and Zn recorded their highest significant values in residential, while Mn and Mo had their highest values in the arable land.