ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS OF DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPE IN OGBOMOSO

Abstract

The study was conducted at LadokeAkintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It examined the impact of different land use types (arable land, cashew plantation, woodlot and fallow land), on soil physical and chemical properties. Soil samples were collected randomly at the depth of (0-30 cm) in 3
replications, air-dried, gently crushed, and sieved through 2mm sieve and subjected to laboratory analysis. The samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, exchangeable bases, effective cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity, electrical conductivity and base saturation. The results showed that soil texture is predominantly sandy loam, except for arable land. Total porosity values were high at cashew plantations, fallow land, and woodlots, while arable land had the highest bulk density. Soil reaction was moderately acidic, with high base saturation and organic carbon levels. The EC was slightly saline, and exchangeable minerals were moderate. The study concluded that annual applications of organic and inorganic fertilizers are necessary to maintain soil fertility and enhance productivity. Ultimately, a comprehensive soil survey of the region is warranted to investigate the profile characteristics of the soil, ascertain its specific mineralogical composition, and conduct a land evaluation, aspects which were not encompassed in this study.