A Survey of Cation Exchange Capacity of Soil Subjected To Arable Crop Production in Abraka,Nigeria

Abstract

The study was design to examine the cation exchange capacity and pH of soil subjected to arable crop production in Abraka with a view to ascertain the environmental requirements of maize and cassava. The study was conducted in seven plots measuring 10m by 15m in the two ecosystems. It involved the experimental approach to examine soil properties of arable and forest sites to determine the farm areas that support maize and cassava production in the soils. The samples were collected at (0-10cm) surface and (10-20cm) sub surface. The soil data were analyzed for both exchangeable cation and soil pHin the laboratory. The results of statistical analyses show that, soil properties were at variance in the two ecosystem .Although, the arable landscape supported the production of maize and cassava in this region, the mean yields in the mature forest ecosystem are higher. This is obviously due to the higher nutrient content resulting from the support by organic matter composition in the mature forest which is supported by higher letter fall. The comparison of the soils was also determined using the student’s t-test at 0.5 level of significance. Finally, the researcher advances some recommendations towards improving the soil plant growth