Influence Of Slope Position On Soil Health Properties On Nsugbe College Experimental Field.

Abstract

Soil characteristic properties vary across the landscape. Topographic position can affect soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in different ways. In this experimental study aggregate stability, bulk density, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen available phosphorous, soil pH, soil organic carbon and soil organic matter were the indicators used to assess the soil health status of the topographic positions. The selected topographic positions consist of summit, shoulder, backslope and footslope. The design of the study was randomized complete block design. The result concluded that all the slope positions were low in overall soil health as all the positions had scores that range from 42% to 48.4%. Shoulder slope position obtained the highest soil health score and was observed to have the highest aggregate stability and lowest bulk density among the other slope positions. Soil organic matter was also highest in the shoulder slope position.