CATTLE TREADING EFFECTS ON SOIL PHYSICAL AND HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Farmers face compaction problems due to its negative effect on soil structure, root development and water movement in soils. Hydraulic and physical soil properties are affected by compaction due to cattle treading. This research was carried out to study the effects of cattle treading on soil physical and hydraulic properties on a typical cattle farm in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria for two years. Treatments include within the paddock, a cattle trampled pathway and control. Soil physical properties such as bulk density, porosity, gravimetric moisture content and compaction characteristics were investigated using standard procedures. Hydraulic
properties such as hydraulic conductivity, sorptivity, steady state flow and macroscopic capillary length were investigated with the CSIRO disc permeameter. Data were analyzed using a One way Analysis of Variance and mean differences were found using the Duncan Multiple Range Test at 0.05 level of significance. Mean bulk density at the 20-30 cm depth within paddock, on the trampled and control were 1.85, 1.83 and 1.65 gcm-3 respectively. Sorptivity values for within paddock, trampled pathway and control were 2.0, 142 and 47.1cmhr-0.5 respectively. Hydraulic conductivity for paddock, trampled pathways and control were 4.9, 51.7 and 129.2 cm
hr-1 respectively.  Average steady state flow for control, trampled pathways and within paddock were 136.4, 123.9 and 5cmhr-1 respectively. Mean pore sizes for control, trampled pathway and within paddock were 0.51, 1.06 and 0.18 cm respectively. Paddocks should be designed on sloppy lands to facilitate easy flow of waste into drainage systems and paddock floors should be sandy to facilitate infiltration.