Evaluation of Soil Degradation Across Various Sampling Periods, Toposequence Units, and Cropping Patterns in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract The study was carried out to assess the degree of soil degradation at different sampling periods, toposequence units and different cropping pattern at JoSTUM and Wurukum in Makurdi, 2023. Soil samples were taken at 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths at the toposequence units under different crop types (maize, cassava and cowpea) and two seasons (June/July and December/January) for routine analysis. The experimental design was a 2x3x3 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. Data analysis was done using Genstat Statistical software, significant means were separated using fisher’s least significant difference at 5% level of probability. Soil degradation assessment was done using standard indicators and criteria. Soils of the two locations were loamy sand in texture. Soil bulk density ranged from 1.46 to 1.63 gcm − 3 . Total porosity ranged from 47.99 to 55.80% while Soil Moisture Content and Saturated hydraulic conductivity were not significantly different. Soil pH was slightly to moderately acidic, total nitrogen was low across the two locations, sampling periods and toposequence units. Cation exchange capacity did not differ significantly. The soils of JoSTUM were more degraded compared with the soils of Wurukum. Likewise dry season sampling indicated higher degradation than the wet season sampling. Degree of degradation with respect to toposequence units indicated upper slope greater than middle slope greater than toe slope. Whereas, for cropping system, the degradation order was, cassava > maize > cowpea. It is recommended that soil conservation practice should be intensified in these areas.