Rotational farming system and soil nutrient status in parts of south-eastern Nigeria. (204)

Abstract

The study focussed on the rotational farming system and the soil nutrient status of south-eastern Nigeria. Both surface and sub-surface physical and chemical properties of forest and burnt soils were compared using laboratory techniques. The soil nutrient parameters determined included per cent sand, silt, and clay, pH, organic matter, N, available P, Ca, Mg, Na, and K, exchangeable acidity, effective cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. The results indicated significant differences in the soil physical and chemical properties between forest and burnt surface and sub-surface soils. Lower values of soil nutrients were recorded in the burnt soils compared to the forest soils.