Changes in some surface soil properties of an Alfisol under long-term land uses

Abstract

The study investigated changes in selected soil physical and chemical properties of an Alfisol under different land uses (citrus plantation, continuous arable land, bush-fallow land, and pasture). Soil samples were collected from a plot of 20 m × 20 m (0.04 h) under these land uses and analyzed in the laboratory for selected soil physical and chemical properties. Continuous arable land had the lowest aggregate stability, followed by citrus plantation, bush fallow and pasture in increasing order. Bulk density was significantly higher in arable land compared with the other land uses. Total sand was significantly higher under arable and citrus cultivation when compared with pasture and bush-fallow land. Organic carbon was highest in pasture (2.55 %), while it was lowest in continuous arable land (0.78 %). Available phosphorus was significantly lower under citrus and bush-fallow land compared with continuous arable land and pasture. The pH of pasture (5.19) was significantly lower than the values for the other land uses. Continuous arable land, with a pH of 5.85, followed this. The pH of citrus plantation (6.58) and bush-fallow land (6.42) were not significantly different. This study shows that land uses can have significant impact on some surface soil properties and, thus, must be carefully managed for sustainable land use.

Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 38, 2005: 73-78