Chemical properties of a watershed prone to erosion along Nworie river banks in Owerri-Imo State, Southeast Nigeria.

Abstract

The study investigated the soil chemical properties of Nworie river watershed prone to erosion in Owerri- Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. The study area was divided into Upstream, Midstream and downstream. Five Major gullies were used for the study. Soil samples were collected from the walls of the gullies beginning from down to up according to apparent horizon differentiation. Soil profile pit was dug 100m away from the degraded area, and this served as the control. Soil data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. The soils of the watershed were acidic. The results of some chemical properties for soil quality evaluation were matched with the FAO standard to assess the degree of degradation. The soil nitrogen content of the watershed ranged from 0.01% to 0.02%, Potassium ranged from 0.16cmol/kg to 0.31cmol/kg, available phosphorus ranged from 1.64Mg/kg to 6.13Mg/kg, Base Saturation ranged from 61.5% to 81.5%, ESP ranged from 2.37% to 9.42%, while organic matter content ranged from 0.30% to 2.09%. Based on the degree of degradation; the watershed was found to be very highly degraded (VHD) due to the low content of organic matter. Erosion within the watershed was more pronounced at the upstream and midstream compared to the downstream.