Assessment of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen as indicators for soil productivity in Gidan Amamata eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) plantation, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted in Gidan Amamata Eucalyptus globulus plantation to estimate the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content of the plantation. Five (5) transects of 150 m were laid within the plantation, thereafter, 30 x 30 m plots were established along both sides of the transects. Using simple random sampling, two (2) plots were selected from each transect making a total of 10 plots for the study. Eighty (80) composite soil samples were randomly collected using soil auger from a total of ten (10) plots. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data and summarized in tabular presentation. Soil organic carbon content was determined using Walkley and black method which gave the average value of 0.64% and soil total nitrogen was determined using Micro-Kjeldahl method which gave the average value of 0.059%. It can, therefore, be concluded that the plantation is very low in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen due to sparse vegetative cover and presence of low organic matter. Hence, the fertility level is considered to be very low. It is therefore recommended that further studies should be carried out to estimate other aspects of macro and micro nutrient contents of Gidan Amamata Eucalyptus Plantation.