ASSESSING AGGREGATE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS FORMED ON SANDSTONE/SHALE PARENT MATERIAL IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
Essien, O. A & Umoh, F. O
Department of Soil Science
Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpadem
Email: otobongessien19@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: Disintegration of Soil aggregate increases with poor Soil Management practices, to achieve Stability of Soil aggregate, the understanding of aggregate-size fraction of the soil management practices that will enhance Soil Stability is necessary. The study was carried out to evaluate aggregate-size distribution in Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria. Twenty-four Soil Samples were collected from twenty-four locations in the study area. The Soil Samples were air dried and Sieved through a 4mm sieve for aggregate size fractionation with a nest of four sieves; 4-2.0, 2.0-0.25, 0.25-0.053 and < 0.053mm, using the wet-sieving method, air-drying plus capillary wetted and air-drying plus slaked pretreatment, while 2mm sieved sample was used for physical and chemical analysis. The results show that the values of large macroaggregates were significantly (p < 0.05) less than the small macro – aggregates, micro aggregates and mineral fractions. The results show differences in aggregate size distribution and could be used to plan soil management in the study area.
Keywords: Aggregate size distribution, soil management and conservation.
