ERODIBILITY OF SOIL IN ANGWAN RIMI, ZANGO KATAF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Soil is a vital component of the environment and serve as a medium for many biological and other non- biological activities on agricultural farms. The aim was to assess the erodibility indices of soils under different agricultural land. Four farmlands of Ginger, Beans, Maize and Fallow land were selected at a distance of 130km apart. The study plot size ranges between 1036m2 to 8640m2 and a total of 12 soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-10cm. Three (3) samples from each site were collected and analyzed for pH, electric conductivity, particle size distribution, organic carbon, exchangeable acidity and bases (exch. Na, Ca, and K) using standard laboratory procedures. Result showed that Clay Ratio (CR) did not significantly vary with the agricultural land uses, likewise mean value of clay ratio across the farmlands was found to be 9.92%. This result imply that there was loose soil structure and high susceptibility of the soils to erosion; the Maize farm had clay ratio of 68.07% and Ginger farm have 61.95% implying an unstable structure and erosion risk while the mean values of beans farm and fallow land implied lesser susceptibility to erosion with 59.18% and 59.95% respectively. Communal tree planting (re-vegetation), use of organic manure, farming across the slopes, crop rotation and grass fallowing are proffered solution.