Influences of seasonal variation on soil chemical contents in selected housing estates within Ogun State

Abstract

Chemical compositions of soil have influences on its fertility. The research was carried out in dry and wet seasons to observe soil chemical parameters and fertility in six different housing estates across Ogun State, Nigeria Soil samples were collected at the depth of 0-15 cm in a polythene bag; three samples from three points per site, three times in each of the four sampling periods. The samples were analysed for various parameters: EC, CEC, TOC, exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na and K, available N and P using standard methods. Obtained data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics, and Linear regression analysis. The EC (µS/ cm) ranged from 105.86 ± 3.62 (2nd dry season) to 788.29 ± 29.00 (2nd wet season); CEC (Cmol/ kg) ranged from 1.50 ± 0.25(2nd dry season) to 12.49 ± 1.58 (1st rainy season). Both Ca and Mg were observed to very low unlike Na which was moderately available (R2 =0.5159in the2nd dry season, R2 =0.4411in the 2nd wet season). All the assessed housing estates were observed to have low total organic carbon (TOC < 11.63 g/ kg), low nitrogen (TN < 1.5 g/ kg) and low phosphorus (AvP < 8.00 g/ kg) except 1st wet season when compared with soil nutrient ratings in Nigeria. Level of N and P were low while K was high. Soil fertility of the assessed housing estates were lower and needed to be augmented more in the dry seasons than in the rainy seasons.