Assessment of Degradation Status of Soils in Selected Areas of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The assessment of degradation status of soils in selected areas of Ogbomoso, Oyo state wascarried out. The soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated using mini pits and surface sampling. The laboratory results obtained were compared with the standard indicators and criteria for land degradation assessment according to FAO, 1979. The results revealed that most of the cultivated parts of the study sites were very highly degraded compared to the soil under vegetative fallow which were moderately degraded. The textural class of the soil ranged from loamy sand to sandy loam. Saturated hydraulic conductivity ranged from 1.54 to 3.4 cm hr-1 corresponding low to moderate permeability. Bulk density ranged from 1.53 to 1.60 g cm-3. Organic matter was very low in all the study sites. Available phosphorus was low in all the locations. Total nitrogen was predominantly low in most of the cultivated and fallow soils. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) of the sites depicted that most of the soils were slightly sodic. Summarily, the soil physical and chemical properties status when compared with the FAO standard show that the area either cultivated or fallow is under degradation. In order to optimize crop production in these areas, there may be need to introduce soil conservation strategies. The practice may include use of crop residues, green manure or poultry manure to boost soil fertility. Also regular monitoring of the fertility status of the soils is required.