Assessment of Soil Physicochemical Properties of Four Selected Silvicultural System Practices in Mubi North of Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, sustainable silvicultural practices have been recognised for their potential to support forest productivity while conserving soil resources. This study assessed the effect of soil physicochemical properties on four different silvicultural practices in Mubi Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Four different silvicultural system sites were selected for this study. In each of the sites, three plots of 50 X 50 m in size were laid and demarcated. Sub-plots of 1m x1m was laid at each corner and at the centre of the plot. In each plot, five points were marked for soil sampling collection at three different soil depths. Soil textural class results revealed that Clear cutting (CC), Agroforestry (AF) and Natural regeneration (NR) had the highest percentage of 59.6, 50.6 and 14.0% for sand, clay and silt, respectively, while AF, CC and Selective logging (SL) had 40.3, 28.2 and 8.4% for sand, clay and silt, respectively. Soil chemical properties showed variations in pH, OC and OM values across the four studied silvicultural practices. The ANOVA conducted showed that sand, clay, silt and porosity had a significant effect (P < 0.05), but the bulk density showed no significant effect (p> 0.05) on silvicultural practices in the study area. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a moderate negative relationship between the silvicultural practices, MC (-0.66) and WHC (-0.65). TN and Avp had a low negative correlation of -060   and -0.61respectively, while Na+, Ca+ and H+ had a high positive correlation of 0.97, 0.99 and 0.98 with silvicultural practices. These findings will offer a long-term benefit for soil fertility and restoration of degraded ecosystems in Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State.