Analysis on the influence of selected land use on soil physical properties in Girei Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Different land uses and other management practices have a major impact on soil fertility levels in Girei, which is influenced by the soil's physical properties. The study aimed to analyse the physical properties of soil across three different land uses: rice farm, orchard, and uncultivated land. Also to understand how these lands uses influence soil physical properties at two depths (0–20 cm and 30–50 cm). A total of 20 composite samples were collected from each land-use type and analyzed for various physical properties. The results showed significant differences in sand content, with the orchard recording the highest value (80.00%), followed by uncultivated land (73.48%). The highest clay content (14.30%) was recorded in uncultivated land, followed by the rice farm (12.90%) and the orchard (10.80%). Total porosity (TP) was highest in the rice farm (41.58%), followed by the orchard (38.24%) and uncultivated land (36.86%). The textural class across all land uses was identified as sandy-loam. The findings indicate that inappropriate land use and unsustainable agricultural practices significantly influence soil physical properties, potentially leading to reduced fertility and productivity. Therefore, implementing appropriate soil and water conservation measures, such as mulching, agroforestry, and contour farming, is recommended to improve soil quality and ensure sustainable crop production in the study area.