Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate some soil physical properties at Iguzama community land in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Core and routine samples were collected from existing Profiles in an already mapped 115.5 hectares land representatives of the various soil types present in the study area. Standard procedures were used in the determination of bulk density, total porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis and presented graphically using bar charts. Results showed that Profiles 1,2,3 and 4 covers 19.35, 18.3, 27.5 and 50.34 hectares respectively. Generally, bulk density increased with depth: Profile 1(19.35 ha) had the lowest bulk density with a mean value of 1.37g/cm³ while Profile 4(50.34 ha) had the highest bulk density with a mean value of 1.55g/cm³. Total porosity decreased with depth across the profiles. Profile 3(27.5 ha) had the highest total porosity with a mean value of 41.75% while Profile 4(50.34 ha) had the lowest total porosity with a mean value of  39.25%. Saturated hydraulic conductivity(Ksat) decreased with depth across the Profiles.  Profile 1(19.35 ha) had the highest  Ksat with a mean value of 31.80 cm/hr while Profile 4(50.34 ha) had the lowest Ksat  with a mean value of 16.20 cm/hr. Profile 1 had the best soil physical properties. In Conclusion, soil physical properties emphasized are within acceptable values for arable and perennial crops in this agroecological zone and would support crop production respecting basic agronomic practices with minimal use of machineries. 

Key Words: Profile, Bulk Density, Porosity, Saturated Hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)