Soil Erodibility Estimation under Different Tillage Systems Assessment in the Rain Forest Climate of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was aimed at assessing the different tillage systems adopted in rural communities of Osun state with a view to estimating soil erodibility and to determine the prevalence of erosion in the sampled communities. Nine communities were selected and fifty questionnaires administered to farmers from the twelve LGA sampled, making a total of 5400 questionnaires. Ayedaade, Aiyedire, Atakunmosa west, Ede south, Ilesa west, Ife north, Ife south, Irewole, Oriade, Odo-Otin, Ejigbo and Ife central LGA.were used for this study. Result indicated that the slash and burn technique of land preparation is found to be predominantly adopted by the Farmers. Also, farmers percentage with erosion problems from the use of both conventional and traditional tillage techniques was highest in Ilesha west with a value of 44.56% (±8.12) and least in Irewole (12.11% ±1.45). Soils of Ife central and Ife south were highest in erodibility with values 0.65 and 0.53, respectively, while Oriade and Ede south had lowest erodibility with values 0.07 and 0.12, respectively. The practical implication of these findings is in the area of soil erodibility estimation for soil conservation planning.