Assessment of Erodibility Potentials of Soil at Michael Okpara University Demonstration Farm Umudike:- Amanze, Nancy N

ABSTRACT

The credibility potential of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Demonstration farm was assessed using predictive relationships of organic matter determination and textural analysis of the soil. The study areas was divided into three sections and were labeled Ai, A2 and A3 for random observations. Soil samples were collected from different locations of the sections and taken to laboratory for analysis. Soil parameters such as particle sizes, moisture content, permeability test, bulk density, organic matter content, porosity and textural class were investigated, and the erodibility index and annual soil loss ofthe area were determined. Results obtained revealed that the dominant soils in MOUAU Demonstration farm were sandy-loam and loamy-sand soil. The area recorded a very high percentage sand content range of 82.26% — 80.9% with a low percentage clay content range of 5.60% — 12.9%. The bulk density ofthe area lies between 1.57 to 1.169g/cm3 and porosity range of 21 - 40%. Furthermore, the infiltration rate ofthe soil in the area range from 25mm/hr - 35mm/hr and permeability lay between 1.16211 x 1 O’3 to 1.63631 x 10'3. Results generally revealed that the erodibility index- ofthe study area ranges from 0 - 0.11, an indication that the soil had the tendency of being eroded under rainfall intensity. The sample obtained from the field finally showed that the predicted soil loss was between 237.28—261.01 tons/ha/yr.