Effect Of Burning On Soil Chemical Properties In The Dry Sub- Humid Savanna Zone Of Nigeria

A study was carried out to assess the effects of burning on the physical properties of soil on soils obtained from within the dry sub-humid savanna agro-ecological zone of northern Nigeria. Surface (0-15cm) composite soil samples were collected from selected locations comprising Bauchi, Gombe and Kano states from un-burnt, lightly burnt and intensely burnt sites in farmers' farms during land preparation of the 2007/2008 cropping season. The samples were obtained from both upland and lowland areas and analysed in the laboratory to assess the effect of burning on the soil's physical properties. The collected data were analysed using the SAS statistical software to test for significant differences at 5% level of significance. Where significant differences were found, the means were separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD). Results of the laboratory analysis revealed that the soils within the study area are sandy loam in texture, and burning has no significant effect on the particle size distribution. Bulk density and water holding capacity were seen to be significantly affected as a result of burning. Bulk density increased from a mean value of 1.35gcm -1 to 1.53gcm -1 as a result of zero-burning and intense burning respectively within the lowland areas and from 1.4135gcm -1 to 1.5635gcm -1 for the same treatments within the upland areas. The water holding capacity was observed to reduce from a mean value of 37.47% to 35.90% within the lowland areas while within the upland areas the reduction was from a mean value of 35.44% to 28.85% also for similar treatments. (Report and Opinion 2010;2(8):64-70). (ISSN: 1553-9873).