Impact of continuous cultivation on physical properties of soils at the Institute For Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Changes in soil physical properties associated with continuous cultivation including natural grassland were compared in research Farm of Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru. The study was conducted on pre-existing soil units identified from soil survey report of 1984. Soil profile pits were dug on each of the soil units, and soil samples were collected from the profiles and the site beyond the profiles for impact assessment. The result of analysis revealed a non-significant difference in coarsening of soil texture among all the soil units. Soil conditions were better in soil unit P2 than other soil units. The significant difference in soil moisture at permanent wilting point in soil unit A1 could be attributed to antecedent soil moisture content. The evidence from this study indicates that soil unit P2 offers only slightly greater improvement in soil physical properties compared to other soil units.