Factors and properties influencing soil aggregate stability in Katsina State, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Soil aggregate stability is not only an important indicator for controlling soil losses and improvement of soil quality, but also improving nutrient availability and water use efficiency. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the factors influencing soil aggregate stability and determine their relationship with some soil properties in Katsina State situated between Sub-Humid and Dry Sub-Humid Agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Variation in Agro-ecological zones and Geological formations were the factors that significantly influenced soil properties with resultant effect in variation in mean weight diameter and aggregate stability across the State. Clay, divalent calcium and magnesium cations, and cation exchange capacity significantly correlated with mean weight diameter (MWD) under dry (r = 0.449*, 0.552**, 0.530** and 0.617** respectively), and water conditions (r = 0.583**, 0.418**, 0.334* and 0.417** respectively) and water stable aggregates (r = 0.593**, 0.376*, 0.326* and 0.376* respectively). Their significant relationship indicated their key role in influencing nature of soil aggregate stability and conservation for sustainable uses within the Sub-Humid and dry Sub-Humid Agro-ecological zones of Nigeria.