Soil compaction assessment as a manipulative strategy to improve soil biodiversity: an approach for meeting SDG two and six

Abstract

The rapid increase in soil deterioration has been a drawback to global development, acting like a barrier to sustainability of Agriculture and the environment. Biodiversity in soil plays a crucial role in ecosystem sustainability, but yet there exist a rapid deterioration in soil biodiversity especially due to increase soil toxins, chemical spills, wind erosion including the rapid down-pour by rainfall which destroys soil structure and degrade soil biota. Soil compaction reduction manipulation through tillage and application of fertilizer plays a major role for food production, apart from being a part of environmental sustainability strategy. Field studies was conducted, where the status of soil compaction was examined, a replicate of four (4) soil sample were collected at a twenty (20) points sampling station using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Laboratory analysis output indicated high soil compaction. Laboratory analysis output was ranked with FAO standardize rate for compaction effect on soil biodiversity. Result of the finding indicated high soil compaction with bulk density value range of 1,56 gcm-3 – 2,71 gcm-3 which was found to be too compact for sustainable soil biota development. And porosity value range of 1% - 41% was obtained, which indicated tight soil spore that can imped soil biodiversity. Correlation analysis (R2) revealed a positive correlation between topography and soil compacting, with a ranking output of the soil been poor in biodiversity (biota load). Outcome of this investigation concluded that proper tillage, application of fertilizer including organic matter be carried out for the study area soils and soils of its environs.