Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the effect of different land-use types on the erodibility status of the soils. Two local government areas namely: Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa were considered. Virgin land (VVL) and fallow land (FFL) were found in Southern Ijaw LGA, while the Oil Palm Plantation (OPT) and Plantain Plantation (PPT) were in Yenagoa LGA. Soil samples were taken from three depths (0 – 15, 15-30, and, 30-45cm) in the individual land-use types; with a total of twelve representative samples. The result showed that the soils of the individual land-use type were coarse-textured, with loamy sand to sandy loam to sandy clay loam. The result showed that mean values of Modified clay ratio (6.17% – PPT, 4.73% -OPT, 3% – VVL, 4.70% – FFL) indicated that the soils of the land-use types were erodible (PPT>OPT>FFL>VVL). Also, it was further reiterated in the mean Critical Level of Organic matter (0.78% – PPT, 1.43% – OPT, 1.10% – VVL, and, 0.87% – FFL) with a trend of OPT>VVL>FFL>PPT. Clay Dispersion Index and Clay Flocculation index of the soils of the land use types were above 15%, with a mean of 51.07/57.46% in PPT, 52.35/43.55 in OPT, 50.70/46.27% in VVL, and, 44.58/56.93% in FFL; signifying high erodibility. Bouyoucous Erodibility confirmed the result as erodibility was moderate in the Plantain plantation (3.55), and low in the virgin land (1.83) with the inclination of PPT>OPT>FFL>VVL. It is therefore confirmed that the land-use types had a significant impact on the erodibility of soils, as soils in their natural state are less erodible compared to those under anthropogenic influence. As such, land users are encouraged to practice sustainable soil management such as cover cropping, conservative tillage, bush fallowing, organic manure application, mixed cropping, farming, etc., and should be effected by relevant authorities at the federal, state, and local government level.

Key Words: Erodibility, Land use, Indices, Bayelsa State