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Influence of Seasons on Soil Properties under Oil Palm Cultivation in a Coastal

Plain Sands Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Article  in  The International Journal of Science & Technoledge · May 2020

DOI: 10.24940/theijst/2020/v8/i5/ST2005-001

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THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF

SCIENCE & TECHNOLEDGE

Influence of Seasons on Soil Properties under Oil Palm

Cultivation in a Coastal Plain Sands Area of Akwa
Ibom State, Nigeria
Chukwu E. D.
Lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Technology,
Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Udoh. B. T.
Senior lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management,
University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Akpan U. S.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management,
University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Nnabuihe E. C.
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Okoli N. H.
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Soil Science and Technology,
Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract:
The study was to assess the Influence of Seasons on soil properties under oil palm cultivation in a coastal plain sands
area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Four locations with the same parent material were identified; oil palm block of 57
years (B-57), 39 years (B-39) and 17 years (B-17) and a no oil palm block (B-0) as control. Three pits were sunk in each
location and soil samples collected for both dry season and wet season. The result from the laboratory and statistical
analysis showed that 32.3 %, 38.7 %, 29 % and 29 % of the soil properties were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in the dry
season compared to the wet season, while 6.5%, 6.5%, 12.9 % and 19.4 % of the soil properties were significantly (p<
0.05) higher in the wet season than in the dry season in B-0, B-17, B-39 and B-57 respectively. Generally, particle sizes
were not significantly different in the two seasons of all the blocks, whereas many of the soil chemical properties
significantly changed with change in seasons. Therefore, taking the season and existing cropping system into
consideration when soil quality assessment is carried out will produce a more realistic and reliable result.

Keywords: Akwa Ibom State, oil palm cultivation, season, soil properties, soil quality

1. Introduction
Dense Vegetation and plant cover protect the soil from rain fall intensity, which prevents soil erosion hazards
thereby minimizing the loss of soil nutrients. Sustainable soil management is seen as one of the most important strategies
for increasing and maintaining ecosystem services within oil palm plantations. It is a method that is suggested to enhance
oil palm production, improve soil health, and mitigate soil erosion (Foster et al., 2011; Sayer et al., 2012).
Oil palm cultivation influences soil aggregation, aggregate stability and overall soil health (Castro et al., 2002; Ovie
et al., 2013). Despite the prosperous development, oil palm cultivation has been blamed as the culprit of deforestation and
crisis of biodiversity (Fitzherbert et al., 2008; Koh and Wilcove, 2008; Brul and Eltz, 2010; Edwards et al., 2010).
Therefore, much research effort is required to develop oil palm cultivation that satisfies global oil needs while taking
environmental issues into consideration. Turner et al., (2008, 2011) noted that studies related to biodiversity,
conservation and environments are rather scarce if any, compared to those on food, bio-fuel, chemistry, engineering and
biotechnology.
Oil palm serves as a major source of livelihood for Akwa Ibom State people because of its all- year- round
production. Hence little or no proper management has been given to these oils for oil palm cultivation because of the
thriving nature of these palms. Akwa Ibom state soils are generally known as acid sands, which are characterized by low
fertility and low soil quality.(Obi and Udoh, 2012).The Nigerian Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) substation, in
Ibesit, Oruk Anam L.G.A in Akwa Ibom State the study location, was established more than 60 years ago. However, there is
almost no research information on the impact of the plantation on the soil. This study provides information that will
bridge the gap and aid in conservation and management of oil palm. Therefore, the general objective of this study was to
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assess the influence of season on soil properties under oil palm cultivation in a coastal plain sands area using the Nigerian
Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Substation, Oruk Anam LGA in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria as the study site.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of the Study Location

The study site was in Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) substation Ibesit Ekoi in Oruk Anam Local
Government Area of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria bounded within latitudes 4°45’ and 5°00’ N and longitudes 7°30’ and 7°45’
E, and falls within the area covered by coastal plain sands. The climate of the area is the humid tropical climate,
characterized by heavy rainfall with mean annual rainfall of about 4000 mm and a mean annual temperature of 27°C with
high and low incipient solar radiation (Udoh, 2003).

2.2. Field Studies

Four locations were identified in the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) sub-station located at Ibesit
Ekoi in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, which were oil palm blocks of varying ages: (i)
1960-2017 (B-57); (ii) 1978 -2017 (B-39) (iii) 2000- 2017 (B-17) and a no oil palm block (B-0), which served as the
control. The NIFOR plantation covers an area of 286 hectares. The area covered by each block was 5.8 ha (B0), 5.2 ha (B-
17), 5.0 ha (B-39) and 5.75 ha (B-57). Free survey was used to locate representative positions for profile pits. The profile
pits were sunk along the middle slope in each of the four blocks to maintain uniformity in topography. Three profile pits
were sunk in each of the four blocks which summed up to 12 profile pits used for the study. Soil samples were collected
according to the horizon designation as observed in the profile pits. Soil samples were collected for two seasons; dry
season sampling in February 2017 and wet season sampling in July 2017, to assess the effects of seasonal variation on soil
properties. A total of 144 samples were collected for the two seasons (72 samples each for the two seasons). The soil
samples were air dried sieved with 2mm mesh sieve and subjected to laboratory analysis.

2.3. Laboratory Analysis

Particle size distribution was determined by hydrometer method according to the procedure of Gee and Or
(2002).Bulk density was estimated by the method of Grossman and Reinsch (2002). Total porosity was calculated using
the formulae Porosity = 1- eb/es. Moisture Content was determined from the difference of the weight of wet core samples
and the weight of oven dried core samples, dried to a constant weight at a temperature of 105°C. The difference was
divided by the weight of oven dried sample and multiplied by hundred. Moisture content was expressed in percentage
(Udo et al., 2009).Saturated hydraulic conductivity was determined with the constant head permeameter as described by
Topp and Dane (2002). Mean weight diameter (MWD), as an indicator of aggregate stability using the wet and dry sieving
method described by Grossman et al., (1996) as modified by Edem and Edem, (2008) was determined using sieve sizes of
2.0mm and 1.0mm, 0.5mm and 0.25mm in diameter.
Soil pH was determined using the pH meter (2603 model) and read at a soil: water ratio of 1:2.5 (Thomas, 1996).
Available phosphorus was determined by Bray P-1 extractant and P in the extract was determined using the Murphy and
Riley method as described by Udo et al., (2009). Exchangeable acidity (H and Al3) was extracted with 1NKC1 potassium
chloride solution and titrated with 0.02 M solution of sodium hydroxide to the first permanent pink end point as described
by Mclean (1982). Organic carbon was measured by Walkely and Black Wet digestion method (Nelson and Sommers,
1982). Total Nitrogen was determined by micro Kjeldahl digestion and distillation method as described by Udo et al.,
(2009). Exchangeable bases were extracted with neutral normal ammonium acetate buffered at pH 7.0 (Thomas, 1982).
Potassium (K+ and sodium (Na+) content were read with the aid of flame emission spectrometer (FP640) while calcium
(Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) were determined by EDTA complexometric titration method (Thomas, 1982). Effective
cation exchange capacity (ECEC) was determined by the summation of the exchangeable bases and exchangeable acidity.
Base saturation was estimated as a sum of exchangeable basic cations divided by ECEC and multiplied by 100%. Electrical
conductivity was measured in the extract obtained from 1:2.5 soil: water suspension using conductivity bridge (Richard,
1965). For micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn), the soil samples were digested with perchloric and nitric acid and extracted,
the extracts were read using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. (UNICA 936 model) (AOAC, 2005).Microbial
respiration rate (MR) was measured using the Draeger- Tube method as described by Doran et al., (1996). Bacteria density
was determined using Nester et al, (2006), method.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis, using the statistical software package of SPSS 18.0 (SPSS,
2011) to obtain the following: Descriptive statistics to determine the mean, values and T- test to compare the result of the
soil properties in the two seasons.

3. Results and Discussion

Result of a t-test carried out to compare the means of the soil properties obtained in the dry and wet (rainy)
seasons in the four blocks (B-0, B-17, B-39 and B-57) are presented in Table1 and Figure 1 to 16. The result in Table 1
showed that 32.3 % (10), 38.7 % (12), 29 % (nine) and 29 % (nine) of the soil properties were significantly (p< 0.05)
higher in the dry season compared to the wet season, while 6.5% (two), 6.5% (two), 12.9 % (four) and 19.4 % (six) of the
soil properties were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in the wet season than in the dry season in B-0, B-17, B-39 and B-57

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respectively.
The significant decreases in pH (both in water and in KC1), exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, ECEC, percentage base
saturation, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ks and Av.P in all the blocks in the wet season as compared to the dry season (Figure 5-16)
respectively is as expected because soils of this area is prone to leaching because of its coarse and sandy nature, high
rainfall and temperature predominant in the area which enhance leaching of the basic cations and major nutrients in the
soil which also result in increased acidity (Udoh and Akpan, 2012). In the wet season, there was a general increase in bulk
density in the four blocks of the study location when compared to the dry season but the decrease was only significant
(P<0.05) in B-57. The increase in bulk density (Figure 1) could be attributed to movement of soil particles down the soil
profile by rain thereby filling up most of the soil pores. Pravin et al. (2013) observed that sealing of soil pores can increase
bulk density. In B-0 and B-17, hydraulic conductivity (Ks) reduced significantly in the wet season compared to the dry
season but there was no significant change in K in B-39 and 57 (Figure 2). The decrease in K could be due to increase in
bulk density. There was decrease in porosity in all the study blocks which were significant in B-17 and 57 blocks in the wet
season as compared to the dry season (Figure 3). The reduction in soil porosity is directly the result of increase in bulk
density.In the wet season, aggregate stability (MWDwet) reduced in all the blocks although not significantly when
compared to the dry season.
Aggregate stability (MWDwet) was higher in the control block in the wet season than in the dry season compared
to the oil palm blocks which stability reduced in the wet season. The wet season increased the moisture content of all the
blocks with a significant increase in B-39 and 57. B-39 had the highest moisture content in the wet season (Figure 4). The
source of the increased moisture could be attributed to the rain water. Also, the wet season had a depressing effect on the
soil pH in all the blocks of the study area when compared to the dry season. It reduced the soil pH to extremely acid
according to the ratings of Fitz and Patrick (1990).

Soil Properties 0 YRS 17 YRS 39 YRS 57 YRS

Dry - Wet Dry - Wet Dry - Wet Dry - Wet
Clay g/kg 173.8a-156.8a 172.1a-160.3a 193.3a-161.1a 203.30a-182.7a
Silt g/kg 39.6a-58.40a 45.8a-68.1a 78.5a-96.9a 46.04a-76.2a
f. sand g/kg 56.6a-63.3a 66.2a-68.6a 67.2a-73.3a 73.66a-77.0a
C. sand g/kg 730.0a-721.0a 715.9a-702.4a 661.0a-648.1a 677.0a-664.1a
T. sand g/kg 786.6a-784.8a 783.2a-771.6a 728.2a-742.01a 750.66a-741-1a
B.D g/kg 1.69a-1.70a 1.50a-1.64a 1.59a-1.65a 1.61b-1.80a
Ks cm/min 0.68a-0.28b 0.91a-0.47b 0.26a-0.40a 0.43a-0.30a
T.P% 35.67a-36.36a 43.33a-38.20b 39.94a-37.68a 39.33a-32.56b
MC (%) 13.88a-14.71a 12.24a-13.43a 13.01b-19.15a 9.39b-12.22a
MWD-dry (mm) 1.01a-0.66a 1.28a-1.23a 1.15a-140a 1.06a-1.41a
MWD-wet(mm) 0.71a-1.32a 0.69a-0.67a 0.72a-0.67a 0.72a-0.64a
pHKcl 4.76a-3.36b 4.75a-3.28b 4.75a-3.45a 4.72a-3.41b
pH (H2O) 5.49a-4.06b 5.41a-3.99b 5.46a-4.09b 5.44a-4.09b
EC (ds/m) 0.17a-0.39a 0.33a-0.28a 0.50a-0.28a 0.17a-0.22a
OC% 1.17a-0.52a 0.79a-0.80a 0.55a-0.60a 0.98a-0.10a
TN% 0.07a-0.10a 0.07a-0.08a 0.11a-0.15a 0.09a-0.10a
C/N 26.17a-4.22b 14.66a-4.13b 22.24a-6.12b 23.08a-11.14b
Ex. Ca cmol/kg 3.91a-0.41b 3.7a-0.49b 3.70a-0.40b 0.37b-0.51a
Ex. Mg cmol/kg 1.57a-0.53b 0.83a-0.51a 1.50a-0.54b 1.64a-0.53b
Ex. Na cmol/kg 1.87a-1.55a 1.37b-1.52a 1.21b-1.52a 1.17b-1.49a
Ex. K cmol/kg 0.15a-0.13a 0.17a-0.15a 0.17a-0.21a 0.16a-0.16a
Av.P mg/kg 1.49b-3.65a 3.37a-4.54a 2.10a-4.72a 3.07b-7.90a
EA cmol/kg 1.50b-4.17a 1.64b-3.63a 2.24b-6.41a 1.36b-4.08a
ECEC cmol/kg 8.41a-6.81b 7.69a-6.48b 8.82a-9.22a 8.05a-6.61b
B.S% 83.52a-40.37b 80.32a-43.92b 75.65a-30.95b 79.78a-40.96b
Bac.D 4.63a-6.45a 4.89a-6.51a 4.93a-5.26a 3.88a-5.54a
(cfu/gx105)
R.R 2.25a-2.59a 2.14a-2.19a 2.15a-2.32a 2.06a-2.12a
Mn mg/kg 4.51a-2.67b 9.17a-3.32b 2.31a-1.26b 4.74a-3.78a
Fe mg/kg 51.38a-31.63a 91.46a-33.47b 32.74b-60.78a 60.78-30.63b
Cu mg/kg 0.77a-0.70a 1.09a-0.78b 0.52a-0.36b 1.08a-0.70a
Zn mg/kg 1.76b-2.69a 10.61a-1.41b 1.95b-3.05a 4.07a-1.75b
Table 1: Means of Soil Properties in Respect to Seasons in the Four Blocks
Source: Field Data, (2017)
OC= Organic Carbon, TN= Total Nitrogen, Av.P= Available Phosphorus, Ex. Ca= Exchangeable Calcium, Ex.Mg= Exchangeable
Magnesium, Ex.Na= Exchangeable Sodium, Ex.K= Exchangeable Potassium, ECEC= Effective Cation Exchange Capacity, EA=
Exchangeable Acidity, B.S=Base Saturation, EC=Electrical Conductivity, Fe-Iron, Zn-Zinc, Cu-Copper, Mn=Manganese, BD=Bulk
Density, MC=Moisture Content, MWD=Mean Weight Diameter, TP=Total Porosity, Ks=Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity,
Bac.D=Bacterial Density, MWD=Mean Weight Diameter, TP=Total Porosity, Ks=Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity,
Bac.D=Bacterial Density

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There was a significant increase (p<O.05) in the exchangeable acidity in the rainy season, as the exchangeable
bases are leached soil acidity tends to increase (Havlin et al., 2006). In the wet season EC was highest in B-0 than in the oil
palm blocks. EC increased in B-0 and B-57 and decreased in B-17 and 39 when compared to the dry season. The rainy or
wet season had a negative effect on the basic cations, cation exchange capacity and base saturation in all the blocks of the
study area, they decreased significantly (P<0.05) in all the blocks though Ca significantly increased in B-57. Effective cation
exchange capacity and K decreased in all the blocks except an increase in B-39. As earlier observed soils of this area are
prone to leaching because of the nature of the parent material, the high rainfall and temperature predominant in the area
which enhances leaching of the basic cations and major nutrients of the soil and in turn increase its acidity (Ngai et al.,
2014; Udoh and Akpan, 2012).
All the micro nutrients decreased significantly in the rainy season in all the blocks except for Zn which
significantly increased in B-0 and 39. One of the major sources of Zinc in the soil is from erosion of soil particles containing
zinc (Christos et al., 2018). The decrease in the micronutrients is as expected because soils of this area is prone to leaching
because of its coarse sandy nature and the high rainfall and temperature predominant in the area which enhances leaching
of major nutrients of the soil (Udoh and Akpan, 2012). Also, Oluyemi et al., (2008) in their findings discovered that soil
micro nutrients are higher in the dry season and are mostly leached in the wet season. The density and activities of
microbes increased in the wet season.

Figure 1: Means of Bulk Density for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 2: Means of Hydraulic Conductivity for Dry and Wet season

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Figure 3: Means of Total Porosity for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 4: Means of Moisture Content for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 5: Means of pH In Kcl for Dry and Wet Season

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Figure 6: Means of Ph (H20) for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 7: Means of Ex. Na for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 8: Means of Ex. Av. P for Dry and Wet season

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Figure 9: Means of B. Sat for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 10: Means of EA for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 11: Means of Ex. Mg for Dry and Wet Season

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Figure 12: Means of Iron for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 13: Means of Mn for Dry and Wet Season

Figure 14: Means of Zinc for Dry and Wet Season

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Figure 15: Means of Cafor Dry and Wet Season

Figure 16: Means of Cufor dry and Wet Season

From the result of the study, most of the soil properties in the study area significantly decreased in the wet season
compared to the dry season. In the wet season, soil properties degraded mostly in B-0 and B-17 followed by B-57 and B-
39. The oil palm cultivated block of 39 years, seemed to have improved in terms of soil properties compared to other
blocks in the wet season. The improved soil properties of B-39 could be attributed to the increase in moisture and effective
cation exchange capacity (ECEC) which increased and was higher in B-39 in the wet season, compared to the ECEC in other
blocks which decreased and was lower in the wet season than in the dry season. It is possible that some of the soil
properties were present in the exchange site but in an unavailable or insoluble form. Increase in moisture content of the
soil via rainfall, must have assisted in bringing about the solubility of the nutrients, thereby bringing an increase in total
nitrogen, organic carbon, potassium, bacterial density, respiratory rate, zinc, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability
and ECEC as the case may be in B-39. This finding is similar to that of Onwudike (2015) that an increase in ECEC can
enhance soil quality.
Hence in the management of these soils, adequate measures should be implemented to prevent erosion and
leaching of the soil nutrients during the wet season, such as mulching, planting of cover crops, vertivar grass, etc., since
these soils are prone to leaching and erosion. Therefore, taking the season and existing cropping system into consideration
when soil quality assessment is carried out will produce a more realistic and reliable result.

4. Conclusion
The result of the study has shown that most of the soil properties in the study area significantly decreased in the
wet season compared to the dry season especially in B-0 and B-17 followed by B-57 and B-39. The oil palm cultivated
block of 39 years, seemed to have improved in terms of soil properties compared to other blocks in the wet season.

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