EFFECTS OF HERBICIDES ON PHYSICAL AND INFILTRATION PROPERTIES OF SOILS OF RESEARCH FARM OF MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of herbicides on soil physical and infiltration properties in Research farm of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Two sites were identified, one of the sites uses herbicides to control weed while the other site serve as a control with no herbicides. Four profile pits were dug at each of the selected study locations. Field Infiltration test was conducted at the different site, soil samples collected from identified genetic horizons were analyzed in the laboratory for soil physical properties using standard laboratory procedures. The result of particle size analysis showed that mean percentage sand, silt and clay for herbicide usage (HU) were 35.66%, 37.22% and 27.13% and for non-herbicide usage (NHU) 53.76%, 32.13% and 14.11%, respectively. Soil texture was found to be predominantly Loam to Clay loam in texture and silt loam and loamy sand for HU and NHU, respectively. The coefficient of variation for Sand, Silt and Clay across the two sites (HU and NHU) recorded very high, moderate and low variability. Bulk density, Particle density, Porosity and Water holding capacity recorded coefficient of variation (CV) values of 3.66%, 3.72%, 0.23% and 3.98%, respectively and were general found to be low variability. This is an indication that use of herbicide did not in any way influence variability in the above soil physical properties across the different sites. The results further indicated that the initial infiltration rate and the cumulative infiltration were high in sites under NHU. In line with the above findings it is recommended that further studies should be carried out with the same kind of soil having the same characteristics to determine the extent or effects of spent oil on soil physical properties of the study area. Finally, proper and periodic monitoring of the physical and chemical properties of study area is very necessary, so that appropriate and preventive measures could be embarked upon as at when due, for optimum agricultural productivity.
Authors : H. Musa and A. Salem
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 6(1) Date Uploaded : 19th September 2020