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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture Farm Project, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Where two mapping units; mapping unit 1 and mapping unit 2, have been established. The study was carried out to compare the impact of Agricultural practices (tillage and inorganic fertilizer application) on some of the chemical and physical parameters of the two mapping units, over the period of ten years. The agricultural practices were inorganic fertilizer application; NPK and Urea which has been applied over the past ten years and tillage practices; conventional hoe tillage for the first seven years and conservational tillage (mulching) which has been carried out for the past three years. Soil samples were collected both for the physical and chemical parameters. For the physical parameters samples were collected at two depths; 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm using the soil auger and core sampler. Samples for chemical parameters were collected at a depth of 0-30 cm using the soil auger and analysis was carried out. The design used to analyse the data was completely randomized block design (CRBD). The result indicated that the textural classes for mapping unit 1 and 2 were sandy loam and loamy sand at depths 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. There were no significant differences in the chemical parameters studied at (p<0.05) level of probability across the two mapping units. However, the mean values for the chemical parameters measured were; pH values ranged from (3.96-4.17), Organic carbon (8.58-10.77 g/kg), Total nitrogen (0.43-0.54 g/kg), Available phosphorus (0.31-0.42 g/kg), Calcium (0.44-0.52 Cmol/kg), Cation exchange capacity (0.65-0.76 Cmol/kg) and Exchangeable acidity (0.13-0.17 Cmol/kg) for mapping unit 1 and 2 respectively. The physical properties indicated that there were no significant differences (P <0.05) level of probability in the x aggregate size class and the mean weight diameter (MWD). However, the bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity were significantly different from each other at the depth of 0-15cm in the two mapping units. While at 15-30cm depth there were no significant differences for all the parameters measured. The mean values for the mean weight diameter ranged from 0.53-0.54cm and that of saturated hydraulic conductivity ranged from 24.40-49.20cm/hr, while that of the bulk density ranged from 1.44-1.55 g/cm 3 for 0-15cm depth respectively. For 15-30cm depth, mean weight diameter (MWD) ranged between 0.44-0.47cm, saturated hydraulic conductivity (11.30-36.80 cm/hr ) and the bulk density values ranged from (1.54-1.62 cm/hr).
