TY - JOUR AU - Garba, Yusuf Idris PY - 2017/02/15 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Assessment of Soil Quality under Long-Term Rice-Based Cropping System in Paki, Kaduna State, Nigeria JF - Asian Journal of Applied Sciences JA - AJAS VL - 5 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - UR - https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAS/article/view/4400 SP - AB - <p>The research was conducted to assess the long-term rice cropping effect on the quality of soils and to quantify th<a title="" href="file:///E:/Journals/Asian%20Online%20Journals/Vol.5%20issue%201/AJAS/3_Assessment%20of%20Soil%20Quality%20under%20Long-Term%20Rice-Based.docx#_edn1">[i]</a>e extent of degradation, aggradations and the sustainability of the soil for rice cultivation in the study area. Four farm plots were sampled from each of the three rice management regimes identified. Composite soil samples from top (0 - 15cm) were collected and analyzed for both macronutrients and micronutrients essential for rice growth. Using Larson and pears 1991 model, the result showed that micronutrients Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe that are highly essential trace elements required for rice cropping, were found to be degrading and unsustainable and the trend in the degradation of these trace elements was that as the age of rice cultivation increases, the degree of degradation was also increasing. Other basic soil fertility parameters such as Organic Carbon (OC), Total Nitrogen (N), and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) were also found to be degrading. However, Available Phosphorus was found to be aggrading. For this reason, continuous rice cultivation on the same piece of land over a long period of time in the study area and similar environment is not encouraged. Hence, it is recommended that crop rotation and incorporation of farm-yard manure should be use for improving the soil fertility and its sustainability.</p> ER -