Effects of Fire on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil on Burned and Unburned Sample in Fwangnin Bokkos District, Nigeria

Abstract

Slash and burnt method of agriculture have both detrimental and beneficial effects on soil fertility. Hence this study examined the effects of bush burning on soil fertility. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four samples of 500 grams of soil, two each for burned and unburned soil were collected within a depth of 0-15cm. These sampled were tested to determine their physio-chemical properties using various methods. Student’s T test was used to evaluate the significant difference of burned and unburned samples. Study revealed an increased level in soil pH, EC; N, P, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg and Na) and coarse soil texture (sand). However, there is a decrease in soil OC, CEC, OM, K, clay and silt properties such as texture and mineralogy in the burned soil. The T test analysis indicated that there is significant difference between burned and unburned soil samples on the physical and chemical properties at p<0.021 with a mean square of -2.622. Results of the study shows that physio-chemical properties differed between burned and unburned soil samples. It is recommended that farmers should be sensitized on the implications of slash and burnt to fertility of the soil.