Erodibility Assessment of Soils Using Rainfall Simulation in Yandev, Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev (AOPOLY) (Latitude 7o45’ – 8o00’N and Longitude 8o36’– 8o45’E) in December, 2022. The susceptibility of soils to detachment and transport by water was investigated at five minutes interval using field erosion plots under rainfall simulation condition. Soil erosion plots (runoff plots) were set up under a slope gradient of 3.5 %. Two soil management practices used were the bare fallow (control) and grass/maize residue and were replicated three times using analysis of variance test based on randomized complete block design (RCBD). Soil samples were taken from 0 – 30 cm depth in each plot for laboratory analysis prior to the rainfall simulation. Runoff and soil loss were collected in the buckets placed inside the outlet pits of the erosion plots and measured after each rainfall event at five minutes interval. The mechanical analysis of the study site indicated sandy loam texture with low value of soil organic matter significant (0.97%). Soil pH was 7.6. Runoff, sediment yield and infiltration rates (p<0.05) differences between the two treatments. High losses of lower infiltration rates were observed under the bare fallow plots compared to grass/maize residue plots. The results of particle size distribution of the eroded soils were not significant between the two treatments. The most erodible textural class was sand, followed by silt and clay.

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