Physico-chemical Parameters of Fallowing Farmland Soils as It Affects Geohelminths in Isiodu, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters of soils in environments used for open defaecation as if affects the prevalence of geohelminthes in Isiodu Emohua, Rivers State, South South, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 240 soil samples were collected randomly from fallowing Farmlands used for open defaecation in Isiodu Community in Emohua local Government Area, between the months of January-June 2013 and 2014 respectively. The samples were analysed for temperature, pH, organic content and Centrifugal flotation method was used to examine the samples for geohelminthes. Results: Evaluation of the results after two variations gave an average of 74 (61.6%) of the samples as positive for geohelminthes; 22 (18.3%), 46(38.3%) and 6 (5%) for sandy, loamy and clayey soils respectively. This was statistically significant (P=.05). Physico-chemical parameters were; 27.3± 1ºC, 6.1 ± .2 and 12.9 ± 3% for temperature, pH and % organic matter with eggs and larvae of geohelminthes recovered one hundred times; sandy: 38 (38%), Loamy: 54 (54%) and Clayey: 8 (8%). Ascaris spp 30 (30%), Trichuris spp. 16 (16%), hookworms 11 (11%), Strongyloides spp. 5 (5%), Enterobius    spp. 2 (2%), Trichostrongylus spp. 2 (2%), Meloidogyne spp. 21 (21%), Buracephalus spp. 1 (1%), Bayliascaris spp. 3 (3%), and Toxocara spp.  9 (9%).                                                                                                                                                                  Conclusion: Soil samples with higher physico-chemical parameters especially temperature and organic matter recorded high prevalence of the major human and plant geohelminthes in the area. Therefore direct dumping of human and other household waste to the soils at undesignated places should be discouraged.