Ghuman, B.S. and Lal, R. and Shearer, W. (1991) Land clearing and use in the humid Nigerian tropics: I. Soil physical properties. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 55 (1). pp. 178-183.
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Abstract
Soil physical properties are affected by land clearing use. Longrange planning in the humid tropics requires monitoring of these effects for an extended period of time. The effects of two land-clearing methods and six land-use systems on soil physical properties of an Ultisol were studied for 4 yr in the humid coastal belt of Nigeria. The land-clearing methods were bulldozer clearing with a shear blade and manual clearing. The six land-use systems were comprised of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)-based cropping, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)-based cropping, alley cropping, plantain (Musa spp.), pasture, and improved forestry, all under no-tillage. Soil physical properties were measured 90 d after clearing prior to planting, and at 2 and 4 yr after cropping. The soil texture of the 0-10 cm layer was not affected by clearing methods. Soil compaction increased to 30 cm with shear blade and 20 cm with manual clearing. With respect to the forested control, shear blade and manual clearing increased the bulk density in the 0- to 10-cm layer by 22 and 14%, respectively. The bulk density in the surface layer after 2 yr of cropping was significantly more for the pasture than the other systems. Three months after clearing, the steady infiltration rates were 89, 20 and 32 cm h ' in the forested control, and shear-blade and manually cleared plots, respectively. Infiltration rate increased to 47 and 51 cm h-1 in the shear-blade cleared and increased to 290 and then decreased to 156 cm h'1 in the manually cleared plots after 2 and 4 yr of cropping, respectively.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Subjects: | Soil Science and Microbiology > Soil Sciences |
| Divisions: | Other Crops |
| Depositing User: | Sandhya Gir |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Jan 2011 22:43 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Jan 2011 22:43 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1991.03615995005500... |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/1442 |
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