An Estimation of Erodibility Status of Some Selected Arable Lands Using Nomographic Chart Method in Yola South, Adamawa State Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the soil erodibility status of some selected arable lands in Yola South using Nomograpic chart curve method. Place and Duration of Study: Arable lands of Yola south LGA of Adamawa State, Nigeria during 2019-2020 seasons. Methodology: Biophysical features of the selected farmlands were observed through on-farm survey where five representative soil samples were collected at the each selected farm locations in the study area to a depth of 15 cm using auger method, where soil properties that are related to erodibility indices (particle size distribution, porosity, Organic matter) were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Results: The results shows that the soils at Yolde pate, Bole I, Modere and Anguwan Tabo farm locations  were very highly erodible with an estimated corresponding values of K =0.53, 0.58, 0.62 and 0.58 respectively. Similarly, areas with highly erodible soils were found at Wuro-chekke with an estimated K value of 0.40, Bole II 0.40, Mbamba Mission 0.42 and Mbamab Kona 0.43 correspondingly. Generally, the soils of the area were classified as high-very highly susceptible to erosion with an estimated K values ranges from 0.40-0.62 which might be connected to low OM content of soils (1.52-2.15 %), dominated with moderate to slow permeability status and platy structure. Conclusion: It is therefore recommended the further research in order to validate this research work by the use empirical model methods and to make comparison and correlation with the soil properties for appropriate recommendation on conservation farming in the area.