Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the physical and chemical properties of soil as
affected by flood and erosion in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria. Sites selected for the
study were: Control (arable land), fallowed floodplain, cultivated floodplain and erosion
site. Five auger and core replicate soil samples were collected from each site at the depth
of 0 – 30 cm and analysed for particle size distribution, bulk density, total porosity,
moisture content, dispersion ratio, modified clay ratio, erosion ratio, erodibility factor,
soil loss, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate
(NO3-), sulphate (SO42-) and organic matter. Results from the study showed that the
experimental sites were sandy loams which are easily vulnerable to erosion as a result of
its properties. Physical properties indicated that the order of susceptibility to erosion was
arable land < fallowed floodplain < cultivated floodplain < erosion site. The results of
chemical properties showed that cations such as NH4+ were higher in floodplains than
arable land whereas anions such as NO3- and SO42- were higher in arable land than
floodplains. This phenomenon might be attributed to the fact that unlike NH4+ which
binds strongly to clay micelle, NO3- and SO42- are anions and can be easily leached
beneath root zone (0-30 cm) because of their negative charges. Moreover, the erosion site
had the poorest fertility and productive status when compared to other sites. The results
also, showed that the floodplains have inherent capacity to boost crop productivity and
the nutrients leached during flooding can be recovered through fallowing the floodplains
for some periods before using them for crop production.
Chima Njoku. (2018) Soil physico-chemical properties as affected by flood and erosion in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume 6, Issue 3.
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