AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY OF SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AT SELECTED FARMLANDS IN KWALI AREA COUNCIL, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Abstract

This study assessed soil physical properties across various farmlands in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, aiming to shed light on
sustainable land management practices. Soil physical properties play significant role in the determination of soil suitability for agricultural use, and other purposes. The physical properties of soils influence processes such as nutrient cycling, biological activity, infiltration, and erosion. Both primary and secondary data types and sources were employed in this study. Soil samples were collected from four different crop farmlands with use of soil auger. The farmlands were those of maize, cassava, groundnut, and potato. The collected soil samples were prepared, labeled and taken to laboratory for analysis. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical tool was used to test for significance difference. The results revealed that maize farmlands were light gray in color, those of cassava farmlands were light brown in color; groundnut farmlands were light grey in color and those of potato farmlands were light brown in color. The highest sand content (61.2g/kg) was recorded on groundnut farmland and the lowest (22.2g/kg) was recorded on potato farmland. The highest silt content (11.2g/kg) was recorded on groundnut farmland and the lowest (9.2g/kg) was recorded on maize farmland. The highest clay content (28.6g/kg) was recorded on cassava farmland and the lowest (16.3g/kg) was recorded on potato farmland. The highest bulk density content (2.5g/kg) was recorded on maize farmland and the lowest (1.1g/kg) was recorded on potato
farmland. The highest moisture content (23.4g/kg) was recorded on cassava farmland and the lowest (12.8g/kg) was recorded on potato farmland. The cassava and potato farmlands have no significant variation in soil physical properties at p>0.05. The study recommends that the physical properties of the soil in the study area should be properly managed to protect the soil texture and structure required for agricultural production, likewise the application of agricultural techniques and processing techniques to expand the longstanding efficiency of the soil.