ABSTRACT

The effects of two land utilization types; oil palm plantation and mixed cropping of maize, melon and cassava were evaluated to assess the spatial and depth variation of the soil physico-chemical properties in Umudike Abia State. Soil samples were collected at the depth 0-20, 20-40 and 40- 60cm respectively. Using soil auger, samples were collected in five locations with three replicate each from the two different land uses and adjacent area of land as (controlled) in each land use. The samples were subjected to various laboratory analysis using standard procedures. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Means were separated using fisher's least significant difference F(LSD) at 5% percent probability level. The study showed that land use increased the value of soil physical and chemical properties across the fields and decreased these values down the depth of the soil. These effects were the same in both oil palm plantation and mixed cropped farm land. However, texture was the same (sandy loam) in both farm lands, but all other properties investigated including organic carbon content of mixed cropped farm was medium (1.54-1.70) relative to that of oil palm plantation which was high (2.01-2.06). Also soil pH of mixed cropped farmland varied in reaction, from strongly acidic to moderately acidic (4.70-5.21) while oil palm farm was moderately acidic (5.13-5.33). It is therefore recommended that tillage activities should not extend beyond 40cm depth of the soil as nutrient elements decrease as you move down the proffle such that plant may not absorb enough for proper growth and yield. Also proper soil testing of the field soil would enable efficient prediction of the quantity of input (fertilizer or organic manure) required for uniform growth and yield.