Soil Compaction under Three Different Land Use Systems within the Semi-deciduous Agro-ecological Zone of Ghana

Abstract

Soil compaction due to land management systems has profound implications on soil Physical properties with consequent effects on soil productivity. The paper at hand assesses soil compaction under three different land use systems (cultivated land, grassland and adjacent forest land). Soil samples were collected from the different land use types at 0-30 cm depth using the core sampler method and analyzed to determine soil texture, soil bulk density and soil porosity. The results showed variations in bulk density and porosity levels under the three different land use systems and also significant differences (P<.05) in soil texture with land use system and soil depth. Extreme levels of compaction were observed under the grassland (1.80 g/cm3) and the cultivated land (1.76 g/cm3) at 20-30 cm depth as compared to soils under the natural forest based on the Canarache’s soil compaction index. The findings underpin the credence that conversion from natural forest to cultivated land or grassland decreases soil productivity. Therefore the need to consider soil compaction as a major area in land end-use planning.