Effect of land use on infiltration characteristics of soils in Northern Akwa Ibom State, South-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Knowledge of infiltration characteristics of soils is necessary for designing quality soil management and conservation practices on agricultural and urban lands. This is predicated upon accurate evaluation of the infiltration characteristics of the soil. A study  was conducted to evaluate the effect of three land use practices, namely, oil palm plantation (OP), bush fallow (FL) and continuous
cultivation (CC) on the infiltration characteristics of soils formed on sandstone parent material in northern Akwa Ibom State, south-eastern Nigeria. Infiltration was measured with the double ring
infiltrometer for a cumulative time of two (2) hours and the data generated fitted into the Philip two term infiltration equation. Results showed that differences in final infiltration rate (if) and
cumulative infiltration (I) were significant (p≤0.05) between OP and FL. Also, there were significant (p≤0.05) differences between OP and CC in initial infiltration rate (io), final infiltration rate (if),
cumulative infiltration (I), and sorptivity (S). However, the trend was OP>FL>CC. Differences between FL and CC were not significant. Generally, low infiltration characteristics were recorded in CC than in FL and OP and indicated the degradative effect of continuous cultivation on soil properties and crop production especially where crop residues are not incorporated into the soil. Results from OP and FL suggest that occasional fallowing may be necessary to alleviate infiltrationimpeding soil surface conditions and improve soil and water conservation for crop production in the study area in Akwa Ibom State.

Keywords: Land use practices, infiltration characteristics, soil water storage, soil properties, sandstone parent material