Determination of dielectric properties of cultivated and uncultivated land at Kafin Hausa LGA, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improving soil research will boost the Nigerian agricultural productivity. Therefore, the government and other agricultural organization must intervene in experimental soil research. Soil is the most fundamental basic factor that determines a higher or lower agricultural yield. Low or absence of permittivity is one of the major problems that contributes to the agricultural productivity in north eastern part of Jigawa state. Two areas were selected (cultivated and uncultivated land). The soil sample were prepared into pellets and then was characterized using an LCR meter bridge to determine the dielectric constant (Ꜫꞌ), dielectric loss (Ꜫꞌꞌ), and electric conductivity of the soil (б). The results show that the mean dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and electrical conductivity of the cultivated land area at 60 Hz are; 10.43±2.84, 3.7±1.26, 1.61±0.23×𝟏𝟎−𝟕 S/m while uncultivated land area at 60 Hz are; 17.54± 8.904 , 6.14±4.43, 2.79±1.78×𝟏𝟎−𝟕 S/m . However, the mean dielectric properties of cultivated land at 120 Hz are; 10.66±4.48, 9.90±1.758, 33.001±3.74×𝟏𝟎−𝟕S/m, while uncultivated at 120 Hz are; 17.22±9.06, 6.21±3.78, 7.76±0.033×𝟏𝟎−𝟕S/m respectively. It can be deduced from the results that the Kafin Hausa uncultivated land area have greater values of dielectric properties than cultivated land and thus is more fertile.