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Determination of Soils Erodibility Factor (K) for Selected Sites in Imo State, Nigeria

2018; Volume: 8; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

2163-2634

O.O. Okorafor, CO Akinbile, Adebayo Jonathan Adeyemo,

Aeolian processes and effects

The incidence of erosion in the southeastern part of the country is prevalent and numerous with minimal solutions available to ameliorate its consequences thus reducing the assurances of food security. This study aims at determining the erodibility factor (K) of selected soils in Imo State by measuring parameters such as grain-size distribution, soil structure and texture classification, hydraulic conductivity and organic matter content of soils using standard procedures. The study area soil map was generated from Landsat Imaging and soil samples were collected from eight (8) locations (Ehime Mbano, Ideato North, Ikeduru, Oguta, Ohaji-Egbema, Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri West Local Government Areas). The K-Values obtained for each of the locations are as follows, 0.023, 0.066, 0.045, 0.053, 0.060, 0.039, 0.062 and 0.067 respectively. Ideato North, Ohaji-Egbema, Orlu and Owerri West has the highest K-values of 0.066, 0.053, 0.060, 0.062 and 0.067 while Ehime Mbano, Okigwe and Ikeduru have low to moderate K-values of 0.023, 0.045 and 0.039 respectively all based on standard erodibility indices. The study also implies that areas with high erodibility factor represent areas that have high propensity to erosion or have been eroded while areas showing low to moderate erodibility factor depict areas that have low incidences of erosion. Nevertheless, if all areas (areas with low, moderate and high K values) are properly maintained, managed and conserved fertility levels can be boosted to guarantee assurances for food security.