Study of Changes in Soil Properties under Two Management Practices

The book titled comparative study on changes in soil quality is written to show changes that may occur as a result of using different agricultural practices. The study area, Wudil is selected because it falls under what is termed as Kano Close Settled Zone (KCSZ). This is an area of high population density of over 350 per square kilometer and the pressure on the agric lands is very high. Two different practices, mixed cropping and mono cropping were selected for the study where soil samples were systematically and randomly collected from different plots where these practices have been in place for a certain period of time. Open ended questionnaire was used to collect information on farmers’ perspectives relating to fertilizer application and types of fertilizers, cropping pattern, ploughing methods, weeding methods, land preparation techniques etc and techniques employed by farmers to maintain the soil fertility. The results of investigations on soil analysis and crop yield revealed that mixed cropping has more advantages and is more sustainable considering the fact that it improves soil fertility and maintain soil structure.