Effects of contrasting agricultural land-use systems on selected soil properties in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Conversion of natural ecosystems to managed ecosystems may have negative consequences on soil quality. A study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of various land-use systems on changes in selected soils properties in Derived savannah and Rain forest ecosystems in southwest Nigeria. The three land uses selected from the two agro-ecological zones were: Cashew plantation, Arable soil, and Sugarcane plantation. Selected soil properties measured were: Saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, particle size distribution organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Findings revealed that average soil pH in the Rainforest agro-ecology was lower in value (4.62) compared with that of the Derived savanna (5.29). The C: N was significantly higher in Sugarcane plantation under the two agro-ecological zones with 9.83 and 13.66 for Derived savanna and Rain forest respectively while Arable soil with average of 6.05 for Derived savanna and 5.63 for Rain forest was the least among the land use considered. Sugarcane plantations with higher C: N ratios can minimize the rate of organic matter decomposition and best trap carbon in the region as a technique to mitigate climate change impact on the soil. The study revealed that land management that involves proper management of soil properties can promote sustainable environment for optimal crop production.