Evaluation of soil chemical and physical properties at the logged forest at Onigambari forest reserve

Abstract

S. Soil samples were collected randomly from five locations around the forest at depth of 0- 45cm. Samples of about 500g each were collected in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Results presented shows that sand had the highest % in soil of the area (91.62). Bulk densities were at ranges of (1.43, 1.45 and 1.23g/cm3) at the depth of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 respectively. The textural classification for each depth of soil was sandy-loam. Calcium present in the soil ranges between 2.33- 2.60 which is at its lowest and cannot properly support the growth of plant. Magnesium which functions as the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue seems to be deficient at each level of the soil depth. Therefore, if Mg is deficient, the shortage of chlorophyll will results in poor and stunted plant growth.

Keywords: Decomposed, biomass, bulk density, deficient