Authors :
Orji, O. A.; Iruene, T.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4ematmyj
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2k56xf3w
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10110044
Abstract :
Soil moisture characteristics data are
extremely valuable tools for describing and managing
water storage and flow transport in soils, as well as
informing climate-smart agricultural courses and
practices. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks),
aggregate size distribution, mean weight diameter
(MWD), soil moisture characteristic curve (SMCC) and
other indices of soil structure were estimated for soils of
the 8 Local Government Areas (Akuku-Toru, Degema,
Gokhana, Khana, Ogu-Bolo, Okrika, Oyigbo and Tai) in
the South of Rivers State Nigeria. Core samples were
taken from across the 8 LGAs in triplicates at 0-5, 5-10,
10-15 and 15-20cm depths along with bulk samples at 0-
10cm and 10-20cm depths. The high spatial variability of
these soils of the same terrain, were evidenced in the
high coefficient of variation (CV) values in all
parameters measured; with the exception of % of sand
across all areas sampled. The soils were generally sandy
loam to sand. Bulk density values ranged between 1.17 to
1.74gcm-3
at the 0-10cm depth, with a CV of 12.8%
across locations. Ks values were generally moderate
(2.5x10-3
to 9.9 x 10-4
cmsec-1
) with a CV of 91.8 to
109.7% across locations and depth. Degema, Okrika and
Tai soils had significantly higher aggregate stability as
indicated by the MWD, with 43.5 to 46.1% of their
aggregates being >3.5mm in diameter size; when
compared with the other locations. SMCC showed that
moisture content at the field capacity (50cm suction)
varied significantly across both locations and depths,
with CV values between 49.0 to 71.0%. At the 0.1bar
suction, the volumetric moisture contents were in the
order 0.030, 0.020, 0.020, 0.020, 0.012, 0.010, 0.010 and
0.002cm3
cm-3
for Gokhana, Degema, Oyigbo, Khana,
Ogu-Bolo, Akuku-Toru, Tai and Okrika soils,
respectively. Results obtained form a baseline data of the
parameters measured, for management of water storage,
climate smart and precision agriculture; in these parts of
Rivers State.
Keywords :
Soil Moisture Characteristics, Aggregate Stability, Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, CV.
Soil moisture characteristics data are
extremely valuable tools for describing and managing
water storage and flow transport in soils, as well as
informing climate-smart agricultural courses and
practices. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks),
aggregate size distribution, mean weight diameter
(MWD), soil moisture characteristic curve (SMCC) and
other indices of soil structure were estimated for soils of
the 8 Local Government Areas (Akuku-Toru, Degema,
Gokhana, Khana, Ogu-Bolo, Okrika, Oyigbo and Tai) in
the South of Rivers State Nigeria. Core samples were
taken from across the 8 LGAs in triplicates at 0-5, 5-10,
10-15 and 15-20cm depths along with bulk samples at 0-
10cm and 10-20cm depths. The high spatial variability of
these soils of the same terrain, were evidenced in the
high coefficient of variation (CV) values in all
parameters measured; with the exception of % of sand
across all areas sampled. The soils were generally sandy
loam to sand. Bulk density values ranged between 1.17 to
1.74gcm-3
at the 0-10cm depth, with a CV of 12.8%
across locations. Ks values were generally moderate
(2.5x10-3
to 9.9 x 10-4
cmsec-1
) with a CV of 91.8 to
109.7% across locations and depth. Degema, Okrika and
Tai soils had significantly higher aggregate stability as
indicated by the MWD, with 43.5 to 46.1% of their
aggregates being >3.5mm in diameter size; when
compared with the other locations. SMCC showed that
moisture content at the field capacity (50cm suction)
varied significantly across both locations and depths,
with CV values between 49.0 to 71.0%. At the 0.1bar
suction, the volumetric moisture contents were in the
order 0.030, 0.020, 0.020, 0.020, 0.012, 0.010, 0.010 and
0.002cm3
cm-3
for Gokhana, Degema, Oyigbo, Khana,
Ogu-Bolo, Akuku-Toru, Tai and Okrika soils,
respectively. Results obtained form a baseline data of the
parameters measured, for management of water storage,
climate smart and precision agriculture; in these parts of
Rivers State.
Keywords :
Soil Moisture Characteristics, Aggregate Stability, Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, CV.
