Comparative Assessment of Physicochemical Properties under Continuous and Minimally Disturbed Cultivation in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare the physicochemical properties of soils in relation to their fertility status under continuous and minimally disturbed cultivation plots, with the aim of promoting sustainable land management. A reconnaissance survey was conducted using a handheld GPS to delineate the study area and identify representative sampling locations across different topographic positions in the study area. Sixty (60) composite soil samples were randomly collected from each plot at depths of 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm using a soil auger for laboratory analysis. Results 
revealed that the soils are mainly sandy clay loam and loamy to sandy loam, bulk density values ranged from 1.58 - 1.66 Mg/cm-3 at the topsoil and from 1.69 - 1.87 Mg/cm-3 at the subsoil. The soils’ reaction was slightly acidic, with mean pH values of 6.40–6.45 and no significant difference (p > 0.05). Organic matter and total nitrogen were significantly higher in minimally disturbed soils (1.78% and 0.19 g kg⁻¹) than in disturbed soils (0.52% and 0.07 g kg⁻¹) (p < 0.05).  Cations Exchange Capacity was higher in minimally disturbed soils (10.89 cmol (+) kg⁻¹) compared with disturbed soils (7.69 cmol (+) kg⁻¹). Available phosphorus was slightly greater in disturbed soils (1.98 g kg⁻¹) than in minimally disturbed soils (1.49 g kg⁻¹).