Variation in Soil Physical and Chemical Properties as Affected by Three Slope Positions and Their Management Implications in Ganye, North-Eastern Nigeria

Understanding topography or slopes, identifying physical and chemical properties of soils improves greatly informed management decisions for agricultural productivity. The study on variation of some physical and chemical properties of soils as affected by slope positions was aimed at providing critical fertility status of the soils. Farmers have complained of reduced output from their farm lands due to leaching activities and erosion hazards. Slope positions were delineated using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3 different slope positions were identified (SP1, SP2 and SP3), and each slope position was recognized as a unit. Three (3) profile pits were dug in each unit located at Kugon (SP3), Timdore (SP2) and Sammeri (SP1) respectively. Soil samples were collected in each identified soil horizon of the pits and soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis of some physical and chemical soil properties and One-way analysis of variance was carried out using GraphPad Prism (2007) software, version 5.0 at p<0.05. Soils were slightly acidic to neutral and predominantly sandy in nature (81.00%). The study revealed that slope position influenced water holding capacity and water retention in and were significantly different. Soil chemical properties were not significantly affected by slope positions. The soils were low in nitrogen (0-0.15%), organic carbon (<1%), while AV-P were generally rated medium (10-20), high Ca2+ (>5) at the Bt horizon, Mg2+ (>1) and %BS were rated medium to high (50-80, >80) regardless of slope position and are considered fertile with high potential to support agriculture. Good and improved management practices like use of organic material and integrated nutrient management (INM) practice will improve the soil texture and structure; reduce leaching activities and erosion hazards in the area.