Aggregation and Pedogenesis of Seasonally Inundated Soils of a Tropical Watershed
Emmanuel U. Onweremadu, Ogochukwu P. Izuogu, and Frank O.R. Akamigbo* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: uzomaonweremadu@yahoo.com
Volume: Vol.37 No.1 (JANUARY 2010)
Research Article
DOI:
Received: 23 November 2007, Revised: -, Accepted: 10 November 2009, Published: -
Citation: Onweremadu E.U., Izuogu O.P. and Akamigbo F.O., Aggregation and Pedogenesis of Seasonally Inundated Soils of a Tropical Watershed, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2010; 37(1): 74-84.
Abstract
The study investigated ped formation using water-stable aggregates (WSAs), mean weight diameter (MWD) and flocculation index (F1) in seasonally flooded soils in southeastern Nigeria in 2007. A transect was used to align three profile pits used for the study. Collected soil samples were subjected to routine and special laboratory analyses. Soil data were subjected to simple means and linear correlation analysis. Water-stable aggregates less than 2.00 mm dominated topsoils and this was followed by values of MWD. Polyvalent cations had significant relationship with micro-aggregation while total carbon was a major factor in macro-aggregate formation. Vermiculite had good relationships with WSAs and MWD while kaolinite had a significant positive correlation with FI (r = 0.48; p = 0.05). Water-stable aggregates and MWD were highly related, implying usage of either structural stability index in assessing suitability of soil structure for agriculture and non-agricultural uses in the study area. It may be necessary to conduct principal component analysis (PCA) on these soil attributes in future studies for the purpose of determining major contributors to aggregation of soils of the watershed.