Abstract
The study of the soils from Mbé and Wack is carried out in the framework of the knowledge of soils from the Adamawa Region of Cameroon and their erodibility was investigated using erodibility indices obtained through physico-chemical data. Eleven topsoils (0 - 20 cm) samples were collected on different land use and their susceptibility to erosion was assessed. The water dispersible clay (34.92 - 121.75 g•kg−1), the clay dispersion ratio (0.45 - 0.84) and the dispersion ratio (0.75 - 0.89) were high in the studied soils while the clay aggregation (13.16 - 42.27g•kg−1) and the clay flocculation index (0.16 - 0.55) were low to moderate indicating their high erodibility. The soils under natural vegetation, more clayey, displayed the highest amount of water dispersible clay while cropped soils recorded the smaller ones. Globally, in cropped soils, those under cereals displayed the highest clay dispersion indices than those under tubers. This suggests that tubers cropping practices in studied soils enhance their erodibility. Statistical analyses revealed that amorphous Al and Fe are elements which limit soils erodibility while K+ and promote soils particles dispersion. Sustainable management of these soils will consist on limiting runoff through agricultural practices such as direct seedling and orienting tillage perpendicularly to slope gradient.
Highlights
Particle size distribution was determined by the pipette method after dispersion with Na-hexametaphosphate and organic matter destruction by hydrogen peroxide and deferritisation with hydrochloric acid followed by 16 h of mechanical agitation using an end-over-end shaker
Specific properties of the soils and their classification are shown in Table 2 and Table 3
The study shows that soils of Mbé and Wack are sandy-loam and gravelly
Summary
They are highly susceptible to erosion caused by the highly erosive rainfall [1]. Erosion influences negatively the soils and the environment; it involves reduction of soils fertility (lowering of nutrients and organic matter) and soil structure degradation (compaction, structure modifications, crusting) [2]. It is observed that the soil was highly vulnerable to degradation irrespective of fallow management, cropping intensities or slope gradient and this would be worsened by highly erosive rainfall events. Inappropriate cultural practices are mainly the principal cause of soils degradation [2] [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
