Comparative Assessment of Forested and Cultivated Soils for Sustainable Crop Production in Mubi Environment, Northeastern Nigeria

An assessment of physico-chemical properties of 22 soils samples (at composite surface and horizon depths) from forested and cultivated fields within Mubi, Nigeria, was conducted between June and August, 2008. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the compared soil properties. Both soil types were sandy clay loam textured with moderate compactions (1.56/1.50 Mg m-1) and porosities (41.23/43.21%) marked by slightly saline (0.17/0.16 dS m-1) conditions. The soils were slightly acidic (pH 6.45) and alkaline (pH 7.46) in forested and cultivated soils, respectively. Total N (0.16/0.05%) and organic matter (2.09/1.13%) contents, respectively had medium and low rates in forested and cultivated soils. The available K and Mg were high, while available P and exchangeable Na had medium and low rates in both soil types. The exchangeable Ca and CEC (cation exchange capacity) were moderate in forested and low in cultivated soils, while the PBS had very high (93.66/91.70%) concentrations in the soil types. Generally, the soils still pose good potentials for sustainable crop production, particularly the forested soil that indicated high nutrient edge over cultivated soils. It is recommending that the forested fields may be converted into arable land uses in the study area. © Friends Science Publishers