Land Use Impact on Soil Micronutrients in Afaka Forest Reserve, Northern Guinea Savannah, Kaduna State, Nigeria
摘要
Micronutrients deficiency has become a major constraint to productivity, quality, and sustainability of Nigerian savanna soils. This study aims to assess land use impact on soil micronutrients in Afaka Forest Reserve. Six land use types were delineated: Eucalyptus plantation (EP), Farmland (FL), Gmelina plantation (GP), Mixed plantation (MP), Natural plantation (NP), and Teak plantation (TP). A profile pit was dug in the middle of each of the delineated land use types. Soil samples were collected from master horizon of the profile pits and analyzed for DTPA-extractable micronutrient using standard procedures. The soils were all rated very high in iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) contents. Land use significantly (p < 0.01) influenced iron contents as soils under Gmelina plantation recorded the highest value (261 mg kg–1) while Eucalyptus plantation recorded the least value (84 mg kg–1). Extractable Fe and Mn were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in surface soils than subsoils as values decreased with increase in soil depth across the land uses. Extractable copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were rated high across all the land uses. Land use significantly (p < 0.01) influenced copper contents as soils under Mixed plantation recorded the highest value (5.5 mg kg–1) while Eucalyptus plantation recorded the least value (3.8 mg kg–1). Extractable Cu and Zn generally increased with increase in soil depth, which was different from pattern observed under Fe and Mn. The land uses were all adequate in micronutrient with no deficiency but their possibility of micronutrient toxicity due to very high amount was observed with development of plinthite under the land uses.