Effects of Land-use Systems and Depths on Organic Carbon Storage and Texture-related Properties of Soil at Umuahia, Nigeria

Soil condition as influenced by land use systems and depths is relevant in the efforts to optimize crop production. This research examines the effect of land-use systems and depths on organic carbon storage and texture-related properties of soil. It was a 2-factor factorial experiment laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). The factors were land-use systems at four levels [arable farm land (AFL), 3 – years fallowed grassland (FGL), forest land (FL) and oil palm plantation (OP)] and depths at five levels (0 – 20, 20 – 40, 40 – 60, 60 – 80 and 80 – 100 cm). Twenty (4X5) treatments combinations were obtained and replicated nine (9) times. Soils were collected in a simple random sampling technic, and were prepared and analysed in the laboratory. Data generated was subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat software package version 14. The results showed that the lowest bulk density (BD) in range of 1.26 – 1.60 mg/kg were obtained under OP at 0 – 100 cm. The most rapid hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) in range of 3.62 – 1.90 cm/hr was obtained under AFL at 0 – 60 cm. The oil palm plantation had the highest range of organic carbon (OC) storage of 51.92 – 30.81 ton/ha at 0 – 40 cm, while at 40 – 100 cm, FL had the highest range of OC storage of 22.33 – 13.42 ton/ha. The undisturbed soils had higher OC storage and reduced BD at the various depths. Minimum tillage, cover cropping and shifting cultivation should be encouraged to enhance soil conditions for increased productivity.