Physical properties and organic matter content of the soils of Bade in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate some physical properties of agricultural soils of Bade Local Government Area (LGA), Yobe State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty soil samples, (0-20, 20-40, and 40-60cm depths) were randomly taken from four arable farms being cultivated for more than 30years in each of the 10 political wards of the LGA. The soil samples were analyzed for some physical properties and organic matter content using standard procedures. Results obtained show that the soils were sandy loam in texture, slightly high bulk density (median (IQR) = 1.63Mgm-3 (1.60-1.65 Mgm-3)) with a median porosity of 39% and IQR of 38-40%. The structural stability showed that the soils are usually unstable with a mean weight diameter (MWD) (median = 0.78mm). The soil organic matter content is also very low (median =1.57gkg-3 and IQR (1.30-180)). Incorporation of organic residues and manure as well as conservation tillage practices to the soil will improve its physical properties and enhance productivity.

Efficacy study on the influence of manure and Tillage on Cowpea performance in a Sahel Savannah region of Nigeria

“…the weathering front of illitic minerals, with low OC content and probably nutrient loss through volatilization in the location as reported by Eghball and Power (1999). The findings on the experimental site soil conformed with those reported by Alhassan et al, (2018) on sahelian savannah soils of Bade, Nigeria.…”

“…The interaction effects of tillage and OM were also reported to be beneficial to crop production (Adekiya et al, 2014;Adeyemo and Agele, 2010). A study by Alhassan et al, (2018) recommended the combined use of conservational tillage and organic matter incorporation for uplifting soil productivity in Sudano-Sahelian Savannah region.…”

Elemental Concentration and Physicochemical Properties of Soils under Different Landuses in Gashua a Sahel Region of Nigeria

“…The highest (1.67 g cm -3 ) mean value of soil bulk density was recorded under cultivated lowland area (LL) and the lowest (1.57 g cm -3 ) mean BD was found in Dry Upland (DU). Similar mean bulk density value (1.63 g cm -3 ) was also reported for soils of Bade LGA in Yobe State, Nigeria by Alhassan et al (2018). The average bulk densities recorded in the study area are marginally high for crop growth, because it was reported that for optimum movement of air and water through the soil, it is generally desirable for the soil to have a BD of < 1.5gcm -3 and that in general bulk densities greater than 1.6gcm -3 tend to restrict root growth (Hunt and Gilkes, 1992; McKenzie et al, 2004).…”

Paddy Weeds as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Health and Illness

“…According to Alhassan et al [23] reported that the soil type of Bade is sandy loamy, high in bulk density, low porosity, weak in structure and very low in organic content. The physical properties of the soil are; Sand 619.43g Kg -1 , Silt 321.83g Kg -1 , Clay 58.73 Kg -1 , texture content SL, bulk density 1.64 Mg m -3 and Porosity 38.33%, mean weight diameter 0.78mm and soil organic matter 1.48g Kg -1 , the soil of the area is lixisols [20,23].…”