IMPACT OF LAND-USE ON SOIL QUALITY IN FILIYA, SHONGOM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Information on impact of different land-use types on soil quality is crucial for sustainable land
management practices. The assessment of the impact of land-use on soil quality in Filiya, Shongom
LGA was studied. Three land-use types were selected from the study area (Groundnut, Millet and
Rice). Each land use was subdivided into three (3) plots; five soil samples were taken at the four
corners and center of each subplot at soil depth of 0 - 30cm. Both undisturbed and disturbed soil
samples were taken. Six (6) undisturbed soil samples were taken by core- sampler to measure the
soil bulk density, whereas nine (9) disturbed soil samples were taken by using a soil auger to
measure the selected soil physical and chemical properties and subjected to laboratory soil
analysis. The result shows that bulk density were all <1.6g m-3
and this indicates that air and water
movement in the soils are optimum for plant growth and development. Soil pH in Groundnut land
use was slightly acid to neutral while pH in Millet land and Rice land were all neutral. The soil
organic carbon was rated medium in Groundnut land use while Millet and Rice land use were
rated low (< 10 g.kg-1
). The total nitrogen content was all rated low (< 1.5 g.kg-1
) in all the three
croplands. The available phosphorus was rated high in Millet while it was rated low in both
Groundnut land and Rice land use (< 10 mg.kg-1
). The ECe was rated low across the three
croplands. The soils in Groundnut land were higher in quality with no major limitation, soils in
Millet land were moderate in quality due to low organic carbon content and high phosphorus and
soils in Rice land use were lowest in quality due to low soil nutrients.Therefore, farmers should
periodically fallow their lands to build up organic matter, stabilize soil aggregates, improves
nutrients cycles for sustainable productivity.