Savanna Zone Of Nigeria Research Articles

Teleconnection of spatial variations of effective onset of rainfall and ENSO\IOD over savanna zones of Nigeria

This study characterised the spatio-temporal patterns of effective rainfall onset dates, their variability and their relationship with ENSO/IOD over Savanna zones of Nigeria. Daily rainfall and ENSO/IOD data for the period 1971–2015 were used. The Intra-Seasonal Rainfall Monitoring Index (IRMI) was applied to identify and classify effective rainfall onset dates. The classified effective rainfall onset dates were subjected to the Mann-Kendall trend test. The coefficient of variation (CV) was employed for the variability test, while Pearson’s product-moment correlation was employed to establish an association between variables. The results indicate a variation in the effective start of rainfall of 15 days, and 30–60 days, in the Guinea Savanna and Sudano-Sahelian Savanna zones, respectively, between the western and eastern axes. The onset date trend test revealed that stations in the guinea savanna zone tended to have later effective onset dates while stations in the Sudano-Sahelian savanna zone tended to have earlier onset dates of rainfall. The correlation test showed a significant and insignificant positive relationship between effective rainfall onset dates and the ENSO/IOD phase, particularly in the stations across the guinea savanna zones of the study area. It is expected that this information on the variability of effective rainfall onset dates, when provided in aid of rain-fed agriculture, could support decision-making on crop types to be cultivated and on the planning of sowing dates across the study area. These findings are of high importance to the entire West African sub-region, including other parts of the world that share similar monsoon rainfall and physical characteristics of these savanna zones.

Comparative analyses of standardised precipitation index and moisture quality index for wet and dry periods monitoring over the savanna zones of Nigeria

This study evaluated the suitability of a monsoon quality index (MQI) within the timescales of 6 months and 12 months, as an alternative to the standardised precipitation index (SPI), in assessing rainfall conditions over the rainfall-sensitive, food-producing savanna zones of Nigeria. The results revealed varied correlation between commensurate rainfall variability classes depicted by the indices at the two timescales (ranging from −0.719 for near normal and fair rainfall pairs to 0.249 for extreme drought and extremely poor rainfall pairs) due to MQI’s emphasis on intraseasonal dry spells. The findings also showed that while the MQI did better at depicting the south to north variability in rainfall, it over-generalised the wet and dry events by implying very sharp drops in rainfall quality between the southerly and northerly locations. It was thus reclassified into a modified monsoon quality index (mMQI) to correct the over-generalisation. The trend analysis of the frequency of wet and dry episodes for the mMQI and SPI demonstrated agreement in a declining tendency in dry periods and a rising tendency in wet periods. While further studies are recommended to assess differences and similarities between the SPI and mMQI for other rainfall regimes, it is clear that the mMQI has shown viability in analysing wet and dry events in Nigeria’s savanna zones and is able to do so even with just 1 year of data. The requirement for long-term records to compute the SPI makes it relatively weak for environments where data records may be sparse and of varying lengths.

Responses of Cowpea to Phosphorous Application Rates and Row Spacing in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of rates of Phosphorus fertilizer and intra-row spacings on growth and yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the Sudan Savana zone of Nigeria, during 2018 cropping season at Mohammet Lawan college of Agriculture, Maiduguri (110 50’ N, 130 10’ E, altitude 354 above sea level, altitude 354 above sea level. The experiment consisted of five (5) Phosphorus rates (0, 20, 40, 50 and 60 kg Pha-1) and five (5) intra-row spacings (15, 20, 25 30 and 35cm). The treatments were arranged in a split plot design and replicated three times at each site. Phosphorus rates were assigned to the main plot and intra-row spacings in the sub-plot. The objective was to determine the optimum rate of phosphorus fertilizer that will increase yield performance of cowpea in Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria and determine the most suitable intra-row spacing that will increase yield of cowpea in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering, number of grain per pod, 100 grain weight, grain yield per hectare and fodder yield per plant respectively. Application of P fertilizer significantly influenced most of the growth and yield characters as well as the yield. Grain yield per hectare were optimum at 50kg Pha-1 Contrary to above finding, number of grain per pod and 1000-grain were all not influenced by the application of P fertilizer and intra-row spacing.

Modelling climatic water balance for water stress-detection for select crops under climate variability in the Sudano-Guinean Savanna, Nigeria

Climate change is a threat to food security with Sub-Saharan Africa being one of the most vulnerable regions and so requires concerted effort for efficient water conservation to boost food production. This effort should come from researchers, States and all other stakeholders especially given that agriculture in the region is still mostly rain-fed. The study employed the Thornthwaite evapotranspiration model to evaluate the climatic water balance in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Nigeria. The assessment of the crop water stress was utilised to design annual multiple cropping systems involving fast maturing and heat-tolerant select crops. Incorporating apt water conservation and prudent agricultural planning, the crops can be grown twice to three times per annum. The intensive multiple cropping systems of agriculture will avert the extensive agricultural practice that requires much land size with its attendant land degradation. It also will lead to higher productivity. The study reveals variability in climate observed in changes in temperature, rainfall and climatic water balance. However, the footprint is higher in Zaria and Kaduna. As a result, Zaria demands special attention due to the higher nature of its water stress and increased evapotranspiration. Therefore, conservation measures should be incorporated in agricultural practices of the zone especially in Zaria. The study advanced recommendations that will help to boost agricultural productivity in the Savanna zone of Nigeria.

Gastrointestinal parasites of captive and free range non-human primates in savanna zone of Nigeria

Primates being reservoirs of parasites that cause major problems to humans, livestock and under stressful conditions to themselves is a major concern to wildlife conservation, our study compared the gastrointestinal parasites of some Non-human Primates at University of Ilorin Zoological Garden (Unilorin Zoo) and Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), Nigeria in order to determine the level of their prevalence and possibility of infection on tourists visiting the sites. Species sampled were restricted to those common to both sites; Papio anubis, Erythrocebus patas and Chlorocebus aethiops tantalus. A total of 128 faecal samples were screened from apparent healthy individuals. Samples were processed using sedimentation, sugar floatation technique, Stoll's dilution technique, cultured and infective larvae were recovered using Baermann technique.110 (85.7%) samples were positive for infestation of at least one eggs. Among the positive samples were three species of nematodes; Strongyloides spp., Ascaris spp., Ancyclostoma spp. Primates on free-range had higher prevalence of infection. However, under both conditions, there is no significant difference in the prevalence and intensity of parasites harboured over seasonst (4) = 1.968, p =0.120).

Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Three Viruses Infecting Yam (Dioscorea Spp.) in Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Three Viruses Infecting Yam (Dioscorea Spp.) in Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Effects of seed bed types and weed control methods on the vegetative parameters of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutesens L)

Effects of seed bed types and weed control methods on the vegetative parameters of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutesens L)

Reactions of commercial cultivars of okra, pepper, and tomato to cucumber mosaic virus disease

Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ), pepper ( Capsicum spp.) and tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) are rich sources of minerals and vitamins required by humans for normal growth and development. However, the productivity of these vegetables is seriously constrained by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) disease. To date, adoption of resistant cultivars is the most effective, ecologically sound and sustainable management strategy against the disease. Therefore, selected cultivars of okra (Clemson Spineless, Ex Bassawa -2 and NHAe 47 - 4), pepper (California Wonder, Cayenne and Yolo Wonder) and tomato (Roma Savanna, Tropimech, and UC82B) were evaluated for resistance to CMV. The experiment was conducted under screenhouse and field conditions in Minna, Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. Completely randomised design with six replications was used in screenhouse while the field trial was laid out using randomised complete block design with three replications. Seedlings were inoculated with CMV at 10 days after emergence. Disease incidence, disease severity, growth and yield characteristics were recorded. Data were subjected to analysis of variance at p ≤ 0.05. Infected plants elicited mosaic symptoms but disease severity was cultivar dependent. Plant height, leaf area, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight were all reduced by CMV. The lowest disease incidence ( < 35 %), severity ( < 3), reductions in morphological and yield parameters ( < 10 %) were found in Ex- Bassawa-2, Cayenne, and Roma Savanna. This indicated that they contained CMV tolerant genes. Therefore, the three most tolerant cultivars (Ex- Bassawa-2 cultivar of okra, Cayenne of pepper and Roma Savanna of tomato) are recommended to farmers in CMV prone areas. Keywords: CMV; Disease incidence; Growth and yield; Severity; Vegetables

Response of &lt;i&gt;Sesamum radiatum&lt;/i&gt; Schum vegetable and seed yield to phosphorus fertilizer under basal application of nitrogen fertilizer

The study evaluates the effects of phosphorus fertilizer on the growth, leaf and yield components of Sesamum radiatum under basal application of nitrogen fertilizer. The field experiments were carried out concurrently at two locations viz, experimental field of National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Ibadan; Western region of Nigeria and Research Farm of the Bio-fuel and Alternate Renewable Energy Ltd., Edidi, Kwara State in the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria in 2014. Treatment consisted of four rates of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated three times. Seeds were sown at inter and intra-row spacing of 50 x 40 cm. Results revealed that application of phosphorus fertilizer improved growth, leaf and yield components of Sesamum radiatum at the two locations. 90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 and 60 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 proved to be optimum at Ibadan and Edidi respectively but the mean values of the two locations showed that 90 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 was appropriate with basal application of 80 kg N ha -1 . Keywords: Sesamum radiatum , Phosphorus fertilizer, Seed

Distribution of Phosphorus Fractions down the Soil Depth in the Savanna Zone of Nigeria

The distribution of phosphorus (P) fractions down the soil depth varies depending on the soil type as being affected by the surrounding soil management practices. A 10 km by 10 km site was chosen in the savanna zone of Nigeria for the study. Modal soil profile pits were dug to identify the different soil types while soil sampling was done at 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-80 cm and 80-120 cm depth. Resin P was the largest extractable P fraction while residual P was the least in the soil series characterized, down the soil depth. Fractionation results showed that there was variation down the soil depth. The conc. HCl-Pi was not observed at the 0-20 cm depth, NaHCO3-Pi and Po was small while NaOH-Pi and Po was observed at this depth. Initial decrease at the 20-40 cm depth was observed for most of the P fractions while more of the P fractions were observed at the 40-80 cm depth. The values observed at the 80-120 cm depth was however small compared to other soil depth. Resin P was the sink of P and would serve as a reserve of P in the soil series. However, organic and inorganic P extractable with NaOH i.e. NaOH Pi and Po which were high at the 0-20 cm depth would be mainly responsible for the availability of P in the soil solution for plant uptake.

Differential Response Of Three Carrot Genotypes To Different Levels Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer Application In Southern Derived Savanna Zone Of Nigeria

Differential Response Of Three Carrot Genotypes To Different Levels Of Organic And Inorganic Fertilizer Application In Southern Derived Savanna Zone Of Nigeria

Effects of different fertilizer inputs on the growth and yield of soybean planted on an Alfisols in Minna, Southern, Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria

Effects of different fertilizer inputs on the growth and yield of soybean planted on an Alfisols in the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology, Minna during the 2011 cropping season. Minna lies within the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria on longitude of 06 0 27’E and latitude of 09 0 32’N. Treatments consisted of five fertilizer combinations as follows: Control at 0 kg ha -1 , single supper phosphate (SPP) at 30 kg ha -1 , Rock phosphate (RP) at 30 kg P ha -1 , Agrolyzer at 900 g ha -1 and combinations of SSP at 30 kg Pha -1 and single super phosphate at 30 kg Pha -1 and urea at 20 kg N ha -1 . The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replicates. Result revealed that TGX 1448-2E plants supplied with sole phosphorus or in combination with either agrolyzer or urea produced better response compared with zero fertilizer application. Plants supplied with SSP were taller and heavier than those receiving rock phosphates. Pod weight, shoot biomass, nodule number, haulms weight, grain yield and plant height decreased when plants received an inclusion of Urea to single super phosphate compared with sole SSP and its agrolyzer inclusion respectively. Plants supplied with single super phosphate and urea however flowered earliest at 45 days while Pod number per plant was high when single super phosphate was supplied solely or in combination with agrolyzer. Nodule numbers were higher in plants that received single super phosphate and rock phosphate respectively but poor as a result of N inclusion to phosphorus may be as a result of the presence of Nitrogen. Urea applied at the rate of 20 kg N ha -1 may just be enough to suppress nodulation as evidenced by reduction in nodule number compared with the value obtained when agrolyzer was included. Keywords: Growth, nodulation, yield, soybean, fertilizer inputs, urea, nitrogen, phosphates, agrolyzer

Determination of Genetic Similarities in Natural Populations of Drosophila melanogaster in Savanna Zone of Nigeria Using Microsatellite Markers

This study was carried out to determine genetic similarities in natural population of Drosophila melanogaster in savannah zone of Nigeria using microsatellite markers. A total of 184 D. melanogaster was collected using simple traps baited with banana and baker’s yeast from Northern Guinea (Kaduna), Sudan (Kano) and Sahel (Azare). A total of 40 D. melanogaster were genotyped using 7 sets of microsatellite markers, the bands in the electrophoregramme were analysed and scored using the image LabTM. The result was used to compute dendrogramme based on Nei’s genetic distance using MEGA 6. Result showed that studied population forms two (2) clusters at various degrees of similarities with Sudan savanna and Sahel Savanna forming a cluster at 0.21 then grouped with Northern Guinea Savanna to form the second (2nd) cluster at 0.78 distances, suggesting that Northern Guinea Savanna and Sudan Savanna Drosophila melanogaster populations have a recent common ancestor.

Performance of Rice Grown after Cassava/Legume Intercrops at Badeggi in the Southern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria

An experiment was conducted on the lowland experimental field of National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi (9°45’N, 60°7’E, ALT 70.57 M ) in the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to determine the effects of cassava/legume inter-cropping patterns on grain yield of subsequent lowland rice. The result revealed that significant higher plant height, tiller/stool and grains/panicle were obtained from with rice grown after cassava/ cowpea and cassava/Aeschynomene compared with rice grown after cassava/soybean and cassava/Lablab. Significantly higher rice panicles per metre, 1000 rice grain weight and rice grain yield were also observed in the same treatments. Cassava/cowpea and cassava/Aeschynomene are hence recommended to be planted before lowland rice.

Effects of Manure Management and Nitrogen Levels on Soil Organic Carbon in the Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

A two years study was carried out in two locations at Institute for Agricultural Research and the Samaru College of Agriculture Farms (Lat. 11° 11’’ and Long. 7° 38’’) in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. The study aimed at investigating the effects of cow dung management practices, time of application when combined with inorganic fertilizer (urea) and their direct and residual effects on organic carbon content of the soil. The treatments consisted of three cow dung management practices, four different storage times after one month ageing and two levels of nitrogen. There was a control treatment where no cow dung or nitrogen fertilizer was applied. The study was a factorial experiment with three factors, laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The manure amended treatments were generally higher than the control treatments in the two years and at both direct and residual effects. This showed that the addition of cow dung actually increased the organic carbon content of the soil. However, the highest organic carbon value for 2003 and 2004 years of direct effects, at 4 WAP were on treatments pit covered May (54.5 g kg -1 and 49.0 g kg -1 respectively), while the lowest values were observed on the control treatments (30.7 g kg -1 and 24.7 g kg -1 respectively). The management practices and the time (month) of application did not show any significant effect on the content of the soil organic matter of the soil.

Field Performance of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) with Farmyard Manure and Inorganic P Fertilizers in the Sub-Humid Savanna of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2009, 2010 and 2011 in Samaru in the northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria to evaluate the response of soybean to separate and combined applications of farmyard manure (FYM) and mineral phosphorus fertilizers levels. Soybean varieties TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1019-2E were grown with three levels of FYM (0, 1 and 2 t/ha) and four levels of P (0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6 kg P/ha) in all possible factorial combinations laid out as a randomised complete block design, replicated four times. Leaf area index, number of days to 50% bloom stage nodule dry weight per plant, number and weight of pods per plant and 100-seed weight were similar for both varieties. TGx 1448-2E was shorter but produced more total dry matter (TDM) than TGx 1019-2E. Although TGx 1448-2E produced higher grain yield than TGx 1019-2E, the difference was not significant. Application of FYM increased plant height nodule dry weight, TDM, 100-seed weight and grain yield per hectare. Application of 1 t/ha of FYM increased grain yield by 16.7% compared with plots without FYM but there was no difference by increasing FYM to 2 t/ha. Phosphorus application increased grain yield significantly and application of 26.4 kg P/ha increased grain yield by 46.6% and 16.0% compared with plots without P and with 13.2 kg P/ha respectively when averaged over the three years. There were no interactions between FYM and inorganic P on grain yield in any of the years. The result showed that both varieties were similar in grain yield and 1 t/ha of FYM or 26.4 kg P/ha produced similar grain yields above 2 t/ha. Regression equation across the years showed soybean responded optimally to P rates ranging from 15.9 to 39.7 kg P/ha for grain yields of 1950.2 to 2665.4 kg/ha depending on the fertility status of the soil.

Organic amendment of an ultisol: effects on soil properties, growth, and yield of maize in Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract Background The Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria is characterized by inherently low soil fertility status and rapid nutrient depletion especially soil organic matter. However, this zone is characterized by abundant agricultural land and is a potential for crop production. Field experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the effects of integrated use of agricultural waste materials and compound mineral fertilizer on soil and plant nutrient status, growth, and yield of maize in ultisol in the Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Results Application of organic waste alone and in combination with mineral fertilizer enhanced root and shoot biomass, leaf area development, and yield and components of maize. Treatment effects were significant on growth characteristics of maize (stem girth, leaf area, plant height and days to 50% tasselling, root and shoot biomass). Sole application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over the combined use of poultry manure and NPK on girth, leaf area, and plant height. Mean values of stem girth, leaf area, and plant height ranged between 2.05 and 3.8 cm, 0.26 and 0.54 m2, and 84.7 and 209.4 cm, respectively. Root and shoot dry weights were highest under sole NPK application compared with plots where either sole wastes or wastes in combination with reduced NPK were application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over combined use of poultry manure and NPK on stem applied. Integrated use of agricultural wastes and NPK also enhanced root and shoot dry weights compared with sole application of wastes as well as seed weight per plant, 100-seed weight, and number of seeds per cob and grain yield. Among the agricultural wastes applied, poultry manure enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize. This treatment increased the seed weight per plant, number of seeds per cob, 100-seed weight and seed yield by 55.6%, 66.5%, and 55.4%, respectively over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Chromolaena and neem seed cake produced similar grain weight per plant, 100-seed weight, number of seed per cob, and seed yield. Poultry manure significantly enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Conclusions Integrated use of organic wastes and mineral NPK fertilizer showed promising potential for improving soil fertility, growth, and yield of maize in the Southern Guinea savanna agroecological zone of Nigeria. It is recommended that poultry manure at 7 t/ha plus NPK fertilizer at 200 kg/ha be adopted for maize cultivation in the study area.

Moisture conservation and fertilizer use for sustainable cotton production in the sub-humid Savanna zones of Nigeria

In the arid and semi-arid regions, soil moisture deficiency largely limits sustainable crop production. In the Nigerian dry Savanna (Northern Guinea savanna, arid and semi-arid zones), dry spells commonly occur between June and July, often lasts beyond three weeks. Rainfall is unevenly distributed and results in insufficient soil moisture for crop production. Soils at the uplands are commonly sandy loam to loamy sand at the surface horizons, have inherently poor fertility status, poor moisture retention capacity and rapidly degrade due to sheet erosion, continuous cultivation and overgrazing. The study on cross banding of ridges to conserve moisture and use of boron in association with nitrogen, and without boron was therefore conducted in Sabon Gari Garu areas in Katsina State, in the dry savanna of Nigeria during the 2007 and 2008 cotton cropping seasons. Data obtained were statistically analyzed. Results show that treatment with tied ridges + NPK + boron (415.70 kg ha−1 and 312.47 kg ha−1 cotton in respective years) resulted in significant higher cotton lint yields in 2007 and 2008 than NPK + boron treatments (245.20 kg ha−1 and 255.16 kg ha−1 cotton in 2007 and 2008, respectively). Cross banding of ridges is recommended for farmers to conserve soil moisture and application of NPK + boron fertilizers.

Effect of cultural methods on Striga (Striga hermonthica (Del.)) Benth management and yield of cereals in the Savanna Zone of Nigeria: a review

Data were obtained from the research done in the Guinea Savanna (Zaria 11°11′N; 070 38′E) and Sudan Savanna (Maiduguri −11°51′N; 13°15′E) regions of Nigeria, respectively on different cultural methods of Striga control and management. In the Guinea Savanna, trials on the effects of nitrogen on the response of resistant and susceptible upland rice varieties to Striga hermonthica infestation and the effect of resistant and susceptible varieties of maize and crop rotation on Striga infestation was carried out, while the effect of inter-cropping trap crop (Bambaranut) with resistant sorghum varieties on S. hermonthica was studied in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria. In the Guinea Savanna, it was observed that a combination of upland rice variety, Faro 40 and an application of 90 kg N/ha in the wet season and WAB 56-50 upland rice variety and 120 kg N/ha in the dry season, respectively reduced Striga infestation and produced maximum grain yield. Also, the growing of resistant variety of maize (Across 97ITZ comp. I-W) after 1 or 2 years' rotation with cowpea or soybean was observed not only to be effective in Striga control, but resulted in higher grain yield of maize. In the Sudan Savanna, the use of resistant varieties of sorghum, 1CSV1002 and 1CSV1007 intercropped with bambaranut significantly reduced Striga infestation, but the grain yield of the resistant varieties was low. From these studies, Faro 40 with 90 kg N/ha application rate and WAB56–50 with 120 kg N/ha were suitable for the management of Striga and for higher grain yield of upland rice in both wet and dry seasons, respectively, while Across 97ITZ comp. I-W, resistant maize variety and 1 or 2 years rotation with cowpea or soybean were also the best for the management of S. hermonthica and for higher maize yield in the Guinea Savanna zone. Further research needs to be carried out in the Sudan Savanna to select a high yielding resistant variety of sorghum which when intercropped with bambaranut will not only control Striga infestation but will also give high grain yield.

Comparative topsoil characterization of sawah rice fields in selected inland valleys around Bida, north-central Nigeria: textural, structural and hydrophysical properties

Although the West African inland valleys are characteristically wet all-year-round, their hydrological conditions are known to be site-specific and may differ markedly between the rainy and the dry seasons. Information on their physical properties would be useful for proper water management under the sawah rice culture and for planning dry season cropping. Representative inland valleys at four locations (Gadza, Nasarafu, Shaba-Maliki and Ejeti) around Bida in the Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria were selected for the study. Apart from Ejeti where the soil is clay loam, the predominant texture is sandy loam. The total and classified water-stable aggregates (WSA) were lowest at Ejeti, followed by Nasarafu. On the average, over 82% of the WSA were below 1.0 mm. Variations among the locations progressively decreased from the largest to the smallest aggregate-size class. Aggregate stability, as evaluated by both sand-corrected WSA and the mean weight diameter (MWD), followed similar trend as the WSA. Values were generally low for soil organic matter (SOM) (0.8–2.2%), but moderate for bulk density (0.98–1.55 Mg m−3) and total porosity (40.6–62.6%). Overall, Ejeti maintained the most favourable values of these three parameters, followed by Shaba-Maliki, Nasarafu and Gadza in the order listed. Micropores constituted over 87% of the soils’ pore system. Saturated hydraulic conductivities were, however, highly variable; indicating lowest rates at Ejeti. Clay fraction correlated positively with the unstable (<0.25 mm) aggregates and porosity parameters, but negatively with other structural indices. The SOM correlated negatively and positively with MWD and total porosity, respectively. Soil–water management implications of these results are discussed.