Assessment of Soil Properties in Two Agro Ecological (Sudan and Sahel Savannah) Zones of Yobe State for Improved Agricultural Productivity

Abstract

Agricultural practices require sustainable use and management of soil resources while maintaining soil quality. Soil degradation remains a global environmental phenomenon caused by anthropogenic activities. The assessment of soil properties in some selected land uses of two agro ecological zones (Sahel and Sudan Savannah) of Yobe state was carried out. Soil samples from three land uses were collected from 0-30 cm depths (forest, cultivated and fadama land). The soil samples were labeled, air dried, crushed, sieved through a 2 mm mesh and subjected to various physical and chemical analysis. Descriptive statistics and soil degradation was done using standard procedures. The level of degradation of soils were assessed using standard indicators and criteria for land degradation assessment by global assessment of land degradation. Analytical data from each sample were placed in a degradation class by matching the soil characteristics with the land degradation indicators, while estimation of the overall degree of degradation was arrived at mathematically, using physical, chemical and biological parameters. The results show that the textural class of the soil ranged from clay to sandy loam. Permeability ranged from 0.13 to 8.01 cmhr^-1 corresponding low to high permeability. Bulk density ranged from 1.25 to 1.65 gcm^-3. Organic matter was very low in all the sites. Available phosphorus ranged from 6.33 to 15.8 mgkg^-1. Total nitrogen was predominantly low (0.06-0.09%) in all the land uses. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of the sites depicted that most of the soils were non sodic soils (0.80-1.70%). The potential for all the land uses were moderately degraded from fadama land (42.12%), cultivated land (45.0%) and forest land (49.50%) respectively. The major barriers in the study areas were low fertility and soil conservation measures. In order to improve crop production in these areas, there is need to introduce soil conservation measures such as, applying farm yard manure, compost, crop residues or poultry manure to boost soil fertility. Regular monitoring of the fertility status of the soil is encouraged.