Authors : A.S. Fasina , F.O. Omolayo , O.S. Ajayi and A.A. Falodun
Abstract: The influence of landuse on 19 soil properties is described using four mapping units from granitic parent materials in southwestern Nigeria. The three mapping units seem to be homogenous with respect to % sand, soil pH and Base saturation (Cvs of 5.53, 5.16 and 7.95%). The different landuse types (Yam, maize and Natural fallow) have been found to cause variation in topsoil properties within the three mapping units studied. F- test showed that three soil properties (% clay, Soil colour and Soil consistence) were effective and significant (p< 0.05) in separating the mapping units. Three soil properties (Exch Na, K and texture) were significantly different (p< 0.05) within mapping unit A when the effect of the three landuse types were examined. When two pairs was considered (Yam + Fallow, Maize and Fallow) on soil mapping unit A four soil properties (soil pH, Exch, Ca, K, Na) were found to be significantly different (p< 0.05). Landuse types on the same mapping unit differ significantly in most of the chemical properties. Since result of agronomic trials are commonly measured by crop yields, which in turn depend on soil fertility, this high level of soil variability has implications for experiment all and productive agriculture. The result of this study emphasis the need for caution in assuming uniformity of soil properties between soil previously or currently used for different crops inspire of the fact that they occurred on the same mapping unit. From this study, it is recommended that for the production of different crops on the same unit, their soil must be managed separately based on adequate soil test.
A.S. Fasina , F.O. Omolayo , O.S. Ajayi and A.A. Falodun , 2007. Influence of Landuse on Soil Properties of Three Mapping Units in Southwestern Nigeria-Implications for Sustainable Soil Management. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2: 879-883.