Impact of landuse on soil quality in Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to assess the impact of land use types on soil quality in Suleja area of Niger State, Nigeria. Composite soil samples were taken from five different land use types; farmland (FL), industrial land (IL), Residential land (RL), Mechanic land (ML), and virgin land (VL) for physical and chemical analyses. The soil quality parameters assessed include bulk density, porosity gravimetric moisture content, soil texture, soil pH, organic matter content, exchangeable bases, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity. Similarly, test for heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Fe was also carried out. Physical properties of the soils revealed none significant difference (p > 0.05) in all land use types. Chemical properties of the soil revealed none significant difference in pH, Organic matter and Total Nigeria. The soils are generally neutral to slightly alkaline with pH range of 6.13 to 7.75. Calcium, cation exchange capacity (CEC), andAvailable Pshowed a significant difference