Effect of land use types on vulnerability potential and degradation rate of soils of similar Lithology in a tropical soil of Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

A field study was conducted in 2014 to evaluate the effect of three land use types on the vulnerability potential and soil degradation rate of soils of similar lithology in a typic hapludult in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria. Three land use types namely Fallow Land (FL), Cassava Cultivated Land (CCL) and maize and yam inter crop (MYC), located in three villages in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria were studied. In each of the village and land use type, three soil samples were collected at the depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Samples were prepared and analyzed using standard methods. Data generated from laboratory analysis were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) while variations among soil properties and relation among soil properties was determined using coefficient of variation and linear correlation, respectively. Results obtained showed that irrespective of the land use, soils of the studied area were strongly acidic with high sand fraction (>70%) resulting to poor physical condition such as poor moisture retention and total porosity. The chemical properties showed moderate organic matter content, total nitrogen and available phosphorus. The exchangeable bases were low and below the critical limits with predominant exchangeable H and Al. Variations existed among soil chemical properties in the three land use types. Soils of the studied area have strong to moderate degradation rate and vulnerability potential. Relationship existed among soil physicochemical properties which positively or negatively interfere with nutrient availability. To reduce the high degradation rate and vulnerability potential of these soils and to improve the fertility status of the soils, it is recommended that farmers should be advised to plant acid tolerant plants. Organic fertilization and liming should be practiced. Cover cropping and conservational tillage should be practiced to reduce erosion and runoff.