Soil Chemical Properties and Nutrient (n, P, K )uptake as Affected by Residual Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers.

A study of gully erosion effects on soil properties in some soils of Edo State. Nigeria was investigated under natural conditions in five (5) gully sites from four Local Government Areas (Ekehuan Road in Oredo L.G.A. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Esan West L.G.A., University of Benin Campus in Ovia North East L.G.A., Agbo Motor Park Road and Temboga in Ikpoba Okha L.G.A.). Control and gully samples were collected at 0-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90- 120cm depths. Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties. The result showed that the soil texture varied from loamy-sand top to sandy clay loam sub soil in all the sites. The sand, silt and clay fractions varied from 57-83% for sand, silt from 1-4% and clay 14-41% in all samples. Soil bulk density varied from 1.48g/cm3 in the surface to 1.71g/cm3. Organic matter declined with depth in all sites varying from 26.50g/kg to 0.00 g/kg. Soils in eroded sites had lower values for cations and oxides such as K, Ca, Mg Fe2 O3, Al2O3 and pH than with soils of control sites. Generally, the eroded soils had lower clay and higher sand contents, higher bulk density and lower porosity. Gully erosion caused physical and chemical degradation of soils.