Moroccan Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Evaluation of soil physical properties under different land uses in semi-arid Nigeria

Sufiyanu SANI, Abdullahi MUSA, Aliyu ABDULKADIR — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:15:04 +0100

Soil physical properties are vital indicators of soil health and land productivity, particularly in semi-arid regions where soil degradation is a critical concern. This study evaluated the influence of different land use systems such as grazing, orchard, and irrigation on soil physical properties at Koza Integrated Farms, Maiadua Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. The investigation focused on key parameters such as soil texture, bulk density (BD), particle density (PD), porosity, organic carbon (OC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and structural stability index (SSI). Composite soil samples were collected and analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Descriptive statistics showed that soils in the area are predominantly sandy, with an average sand content of 91%, silt 6.8%, and clay 2.7%. Bulk density ranged from 1.34 to 1.94 g/cm³, with grazing lands recording the highest compaction. Porosity was inversely related to BD, averaging 38.6%, and EC ranged from 0.01 to 1.07 dS/m. The mean pH of 6.41 indicates a slightly acidic to neutral soil environment. Organic carbon was moderate, with a mean of 1.29%, while SSI values indicated moderate aggregate stability. Correlation analysis showed significant interdependence among parameters. Bulk density and porosity had a strong negative correlation, while clay content was positively correlated with SSI, confirming that finer particles improve structural stability. Grazing lands exhibited the most deteriorated soil properties, including high compaction and salinity, likely due to overgrazing and animal waste deposition. In contrast, orchard and irrigated lands displayed better physical conditions, attributed to organic inputs and less soil disturbance. The findings underscore the need for sustainable land use management to prevent further soil degradation. Practices such as rotational grazing, organic amendments, conservation tillage, and agroforestry were recommended to enhance soil structure and fertility. Monitoring soil health indicators and providing farmer training were also identified as essential components for effective soil conservation. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the impact of land use on soil health in semi-arid regions and provides practical, location-specific recommendations for improving soil quality. These interventions are crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity and mitigating land degradation under climate-sensitive conditions.

Keywords: Soil Physical Properties, Land uses, Irrigation, Grazing, Orchard, Semiarid agriculture, Katsina State, Nigeria

Effect of tree density in an Acacia auriculiformis-based agroforestry system on rotationnal food crop yields and on soil fertility parameters

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 14:03:30 +0100

This study compares the effect of four different Acacia auriculiformis tree densities in an alley-cropping agroforestry system (AFS) on food crop yields and some properties of a ferralitic soil. The aims is to identify the one that would allow for settled agriculture. The study was conducted in Yangambi, DR Congo, and lasted eight successive growing seasons. The design consisted of four plots of 1042, 1250, 1563 and 2083 trees per hectare, arranged in corridors of 10 m, 8 m, 6 m, and 4 m respectively, as well as a control field without trees. This design was replicated six times on ground. Food crops were grown in the corridors in two rotational cycles, each cycle alternating rice, peanuts, maize, and cowpeas crops. The results show that the AFS corridors had a positive impact on yields for all crops. However, the impact of tree density was noted only in cowpea. Acacia auriculiformis also had an acidifying effect on the soil as pH values significantly decreased, particularly in the 6 m corridors. It increased soil carbon, particularly in the 4 m, 6 m, and 8 m corridors, but had no impact on nitrogen. We suggest that the experiment be repeated after 7 years of age to study the long-term impact.

Keywords: Acacia auriculiformis, agroforestry corridor, crop yield, pH, organic carbon

Geospatial assessment of micronutrient status in agricultural soils of Kura, Kano state, Nigeria

Sani UBA UMAR, Aliyu ABDULKADIR, Fatima UMARS, Bala MUHAMMAD, B.M. IBRAHIM — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:42:37 +0100

The sustainable management of soil fertility, particularly micronutrients, is critical for enhancing crop productivity and nutritional quality in West Africa. This study employed geostatistical techniques and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess the status and spatial distribution of available Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Iron (Fe), alongside soil pH, across 70 sampling points in Kura Local Government Area (LGA), Kano State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics revealed high coefficients of variation (CV) for all micronutrients, indicating significant spatial heterogeneity and the inadequacy of uniform fertilizer application. Semivariogram analysis confirmed a strong to moderate spatial dependence for all elements, allowing for reliable spatial interpolation via Kriging. The resulting maps delineated distinct zones of deficiency, sufficiency, and potential excess for each micronutrient. While mean values suggested generally high levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn, the spatial maps highlighted localized areas where targeted management is essential to prevent both deficiency-induced yield loss and potential toxicity. The findings underscore the necessity of adopting Precision Agriculture strategies in Kura LGA, providing a critical foundation for developing site-specific nutrient management plans to optimize crop production and soil health.

Keywords: Geostatistics, kriging, precision agriculture, DTPA extraction, spatial interpolation, nutrient mapping

Assessment of some heavy metals from municipal wastewater used for irrigation in Nigeria

Sufiyanu SANI, Mariya MUHAMMAD ABUBAKAR, Aliyu ABDULKADIR — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:09:07 +0100

Heavy metal contamination in soil and accumulation in cultivated vegetables is currently a serious and disturbing ecological problem prevalent throughout the world most especially in areas with water scarcity. The study was carried out to assesses the presence of heavy metals from a municipal waste water source used for irrigation in Unguwar kudu, Dutsinma Katsina state Nigeria. This study assessed the quality of irrigation water in terms of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and heavy metal concentrations (cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium). The results showed that the water is slightly alkaline (mean pH 7.5) and has medium salinity (mean EC 1.17 dS/m), which may affect sensitive crops. TDS levels were within permissible limits (mean 845 mg/L). However, heavy metal analysis revealed significant contamination: cadmium (mean 0.0226 mg/L) and lead (mean 0.9008 mg/L) levels exceeded WHO/FAO limits by 2-18 times, posing risks to soil, crops, and human health. Chromium levels were also high (mean 1.626 mg/L), more than 16 times the permissible limit, while nickel levels were relatively low (mean 0.0278 mg/L). These findings suggest potential health and environmental risks associated with using this water for irrigation, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring and mitigation strategies.

Keywords: Heavy metals, irrigation water, contamination, savannah

Growth and yield performance of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) genotypes under varying periods of weed interference in Nigeria

Emmanuel Abraham SHITTU, T.T. BELLO, S. RUFA'I, M.S BASSEY — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:41:28 +0100

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is a climate-resilient, underutilized legume with high nutritional value. However, weed interference during critical growth stages remains a major limitation to its productivity. This study assessed the critical period of weed interference in two Bambara groundnut genotypes (cream round and brown round) under Sudan Savanna conditions during the 2020 wet season. The experiment, conducted at two locations (BUK and Guringawa), used a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments involved maintaining plots either weed-free or weed-infested for 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after sowing (WAS), followed by the opposite condition until harvest. Weed interference had significant effects on multiple agronomic traits. At BUK, plots kept weed-infested for 12 WAS recorded the highest weed cover score (4.83) and weed dry biomass (61.3 g/m²), while weed-free plots for 12 WAS had the lowest weed cover (1.00) and biomass (14.5 g/m²), and the highest weed control index (52.0%). Similarly, leaf area index peaked at 5.6 under 12 WAS weed-free conditions but dropped sharply to 0.5 when infested for the same duration. Stand count at harvest rose to 25,9 plants ha⁻¹ under 12 WAS weed-free but declined to 5,6 plants ha⁻¹ under prolonged infestation. Yield traits followed the same pattern: total dry matter, number of pods, and kernel yield per plant were highest in 12 WAS weed-free plots (19.4 g, 33.8 pods, 25.7 g, respectively) and lowest when weed-infested for 12 WAS (3.36 g, 11.6 pods, 12.7 g, respectively). Genotypic effects were largely non-significant, though cream and brown types differed slightly in vigor and leaf number at BUK. Maintaining a weed-free period of at least 12 WAS significantly enhanced Bambara groundnut growth, physiological traits, and yield components, underscoring the need for early and sustained weed control in semi-arid farming systems.

Key words: Bambara groundnut, genotypes, critical period, weed interference, susceptibility

Biological Control: A Sustainable Strategy Against Invasive Citrus Snail

Khaoula BELARAIBI, Nabil ERRABHI, Rachid AKKI — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:44:18 +0100

Snails are polyphagous pests that cause damage to several crops worldwide. They feed on the leaves and fruits of this crop and transmit certain fungal diseases. The present study aims to elucidate the protective role of the biological control approach against invasive snails. Citriculture in Morocco, particularly in the Gharb region, faces several phytosanitary problems, including snails. Three species, Theba pisana, Helix aspersa, and Eobonia vermiculata, have been associated with citrus orchards in this region. The current practice to combat these pests predominantly rely on molluscicidal products containing active ingredients such as metaldehyde, abamectin, indoxacarb, chlorfluazuron, and spiromesifen. However, due to the negative effects of chemical control on the environment and non-target species, these products are not a sustainable primary strategy for managing snail invasions. Effective management of invasive snails requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, such as i) cultural methods like manual collection from the trunk and branches, ii) Physical control using barrier traps that can be optionally combined with mineral oil, or attractants, and iii) Biological control can be achieved through the use of parasitic nematodes or plant extracts. Promising biological agents such as essential oil extracted from Citrus limon zest, aqueous extract of thyme, as well as lupin extract nanoparticles coated with copper sulfate and starch, which have demonstrated 100% mortality and inhibited egg laying.

Keywords: Invasive Snails, Theba pisana, Eobonia vermiculata, Citrus orchards, Biological controls, Sustainable

Economic performance of fish farms: an analysis by the profit function of fish farmers in Republic of Benin

Bienvenu KAKPO, Ygué Patrice ADEGBOLA — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:20:06 +0100

This study investigates the economic performance of different types of fish farms in Benin, using the profit function approach to avoid the simultaneous equation bias associated with production functions. Data was collected from 649 fish farmers on input and output prices, production factors, and socio-economic characteristics. The Translog specification of the normalized profit function was estimated using Zellner's SURE method. The results suggest that the profit of fish farmers of different farm types is influenced by the price of the variable inputs they use. Fingerlings are the most limiting factor in fish production, given their indirect elasticity on production. The implications of the findings suggest that the profit of different types of fish farms can be improved by enhancing the ability of fish farmers to manage variable and fixed costs to maximise profits. Additionally, research should develop an innovative strategy to make fingerlings and feeds more available and accessible to fish farmers.

Keywords: Profit, type of fish farmer, demand for inputs, elasticities