SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY, PERCENTAGE POROSITY AND ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT OF AN ULTISOL IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The wet and dry seasons in tropical soils not only differ markedly in precipitation, moisture content and irradiation but also can potentially affect some of the key characteristics that define different soil types. The seasonal effects on saturated hydraulic conductivity, percentage porosity and organic matter status was conducted in an Ultisol in Imo state Nigeria in 2016 and 2017. Four different land uses was used for the study. Samples were collected in the rainy and dry seasons of 2016 and 2017 through the sampling of the horizons of the land uses through the different profile pits dug in the land uses. Collected samples were prepared using standard procedures. Results indicate obvious variations in the soils saturated hydraulic conductivity in both rainy and dry seasons of 2016 and 2017 with the first dry season having the highest percentage of total porosity. Similarly the dry season had the lowest moisture content with the second dry season having the highest percentage moisture content of 17.2. All the parameters studied showed obvious variations in both seasons. Thus having a good knowledge of the seasonal variations in soil hydraulic parameters will unarguably preform land users on the potential dangers that may disrupt the food supply chain. Improving the organic matter content of the soil through mulching and fallowing will reduce the seasonal variations that are usually encountered by land users.