Impacts of Agricultural Management Techniques on Selected Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in the Derived Savanna of South West Nigeria.

Abstract

Land degradation is one of the major threats to food security and natural resources conservation. Fostering sustainable agricultural production systems requires an understanding of how common management approaches affects the physical and chemical characteristics of soil health. This research examined the effect of agricultural management practices on some soil physical and chemical properties at the Teaching and Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Osun State University, Ejigbo Campus, Ejigbo, Osun State. Agricultural management practices have profound impacts on both soil environment and agricultural productivity. Few of the selected soil physical and chemical properties examined were: Aggregate stability, bulk density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, moisture content, Organic carbon, and soil pH. The results revealed that Aggregate stability in Organic farm (OF) and Fallow land (FL) were higher than plots managed with synthetic fertilizer (IF) by 24.18 and 26.52 % (P < 0.05) respectively. Also, soil managed with manure and (FL) had higher hydraulic conductivity and significantly different from soil that was managed with synthetic fertilizer (IF) by 73.83 and 75.83 % respectively. From soil fertility point of view, long-term organic soil management and fallow practices improve C:N, gravimetric moisture content, organic matter content at the surface layer. In contrast, prolonged in-organic fertilization tends to decrease these crucial properties that can increase and also sustain yield productivity. Lower C:N ratios in IF suggest reduced potential for long-term carbon sequestration compared to OF and FL, which showed improved soil health indicators and carbon storage potential.