Assessment of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties on a Toposequence of an Erosion Site in Ikeduru, Southeastern Nigeria

Authors : Patricia ORİAKU, Christopher OBİNECHE, Ezechıke NKECHİ UDOCHUKWU, Ezema PATİENCE CHİNASA

Pages : 292-307

Doi:10.46592/turkager.1170683

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Publication Date : 2022-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The study was carried out to assess soil physic-chemical properties of an erosion site in Ikeduru, Imo State Nigeria, which has experienced land degradation over the years. Three profile pits were dug, described and samples collected for the physico-chemical laboratory analysis. Data obtained were analyzed using Genstat Discovery, Edition 4 for a CRD experiment. The outcome shows soils was deep, fine weak, dark brown, brown, red and dark reddish brown in the Munsell colour code. An LSD, a correlation at 5% probability level was used to separate the means significantly. Correlation investigation was carried out to explain relationships among selected physico-chemical properties of the studied soil. The particle size distribution indicated high sand content and low clay content in the three profiles selected with SCL as dominating textural class, except for 1.85 g cm-3 bulk density which was observed to be safe in all the profile pits examined, the silt ─ clay ratio was low insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(<1);, except at the surface soil in the foot-slope insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.09);. Soil pH insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(KCl); was moderately acidic at the summit. The organic matter had significant positive correlations with TN insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r = 0.99***);, Ca insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r = 0.85**);, Mg insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r = 0.59*);, K insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r = 0.61*); and ECEC insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r = 0.74**);. Phosphorus maintained significant positive relationships with all basic cations with correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.51* for K to 0.59* for Ca. Total exchangeable acidity had a significant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P<0.001); negative relationship with %BS insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r =-0.98***);. It has been seen that the main causes of erosion are unprofessional land use forms.
Keywords : Soil erosion, Particle size, Soil properties, Soil texture toposequence