ASSESSING THE PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS UNDER VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL LAND USES IN KWALI AND ITS ENVIRONS, FCT ABUJA

Abstract

This paper seeks to determine the soil changes under different Agriculturalland uses in Kwali and its environs. This is necessary because of the level of population increase leading to urbanisation and increase in food production. Realizing the seriousness of the impact of different land uses on soil physical and chemical properties, this work investigates the influence of different land use types on soil physiochemical properties in Kwali town. The primary data for this research obtained from soil samples collected from Maize, Yam and Fallow lands which serves as control farm plots. In each plot of land a 15m x15m quadrant was marked out, where 12 soils samples were collected at (0-15cm and 15-30cm) respectively. A total of 36 soil samples were collected which were  later compost to 6 soil samples. The soil samples were collected in back polythene and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The parameters investigated include: soil physical properties (soil organic matter, particle size distribution, bulk density,) and soil chemical properties (soil ph, soil nitrogen, soil phosphorous, soil carbon, cation exchange capacity). The results show thatthe mean range of the soils particles sizes is 10%, with a coefficient of variation (COV) of 6.52%, 19.6% and 12.1% for Sand, Silt, and Clay respectively. Generally, there is variation between and within the top soils and the sub soils across the various agricultural land uses. The percentage of sand content ranges between 54% and 62%. Results shows that fallow land has the highest percentage of soils followed by the two land uses that have little difference. The result of the hypotheses shows that there is no significant difference in the physiochemical properties of the soils from the different agricultural land uses in the studyarea, and when compared between the top soils and the sub soils, the results shows that there is significant difference in the physiochemical properties between the top soils and the sub soils of the different agricultural land uses in the study area. It is therefore recommended that, Farmers need to be informed about strengthening and expanding existing fertility management practices to sustain agriculture production. More also adequate soil nutrientanalysis should be conducted to determine the soil suitability for a specific crop to be cultivated. The use of more organic manure in the soil is necessary so as to help in stabilizing soil pH level than inorganic or chemical fertilizer which has residual acidity effect on the soil.