Salinity Status of the Soils of a Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Yobe State, Nigeria

Authors : İbraheem ALHASSAN, Sunday DOGO, Auwalu Garba GASHUA

Pages : 45-50

View : 15 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2018-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Sustainable agricultural production in fragile soils of the Sudano-Sahelian agro-ecological zone requires a better knowledge of its salinity and sodicity problems for appropriate management practices. The study was carried out to evaluate the salinity indicators of the soils of Bade Local Government Area insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LGA);, situated in the Sudano-Sahelian ecological zone of Yobe State, Nigeria. Soils were randomly sampled from each of the 10 agricultural areas of the LGA at 0-20cm depth. Samples collected were composite based on location and depth for laboratory analysis. Shapiro–wilks normality test indicated that the data varies significantly from a normal distribution p<0.05. Descriptive statistics was carried out on the data and basic salinity parameters were calculated therefrom. The level of soil salinity was measured by electrical conductivity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EC); of the soil/water suspension, while total dissolved solids insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TDS); and salinity tolerance rate insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EC se ); were determined from the soil texture and EC values. Results obtained showed that the soils of the area are s mall to moderate dispersion existed across the areas for the soil salinity properties studied. The pH values were slightly acidic with a median of 6.45; EC se median value was 1.75dSm -1 and a wider inter quartile range insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IQR); of 1.54 – 4.76dSm -1 . Total dissolved solids insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TDS); ranged from very low insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(44.8 mmol/L); to marginal insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(908.8 mmol/L);. Exchangeable sodium percentage insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( ESP); ranged from 0.94 to 11.81%, with a median insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(interquartile range); of 3.99 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.68 – 6.95%);. Medium values were recorded on the salinity indices. Therefore best soil and water management practices such as incorporation of organic residues and manure, efficient use of inorganic fertilizers and improve drainage are required to prevent salts build up in the area.
Keywords : Salinity, Sudan, Sahel, Yobe state, Nigeria