Effects of Land Use on Soil Micronutrients Status in Ughoton Community Ovia North East, Edo State, Nigeria.

The study was conducted to assess the effects of different land use practices on soil micronutrients in 18 soil samples collected at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth respectively from three land use types (Cassava field, Oil palm and Banana plantation) and analyzed for physico-chemical properties and selected micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) using standard laboratory methods. The results showed that Organic carbon. Total Nitrogen, Available F. and exchangeable bases were low across the land use types. Though soil content of Zn and Cu were generally low and below the critical limit for crop production. It implied that soil amendments of Zn and Cu and/or application of appropriate quantities of key elements would enhance their availability for optimum yield of crops in the study area. It is recommended that farmers within the study area need to adopt management practices that will encourage the return and incorporation of plant residue into the soils in order to build up the soil organic carbon which will in turn enhance the CEC of the soils