Abstract

  The effects of fire on soil have been studied in various parts of the world, but their effect on additional or loss of carbon is not well studied in acid sands. Consequently, the heating effects on soil dynamics and C storage potentials in fallowed lands of less than five (< 5) and more than five (> 5) years were studied for three (3) eventful successive years on the soil ecosystem in Uyo, Southern Nigeria. The results revealed that land fallowed for less than five years loss 1.83 t.C.ha-1.yr-1 and the one fallowed for more than five years gain 0.03 t.C.ha-1.yr-1 during slash-and-burn. The successive burning reduces the soil bulk density by 33% in the third year the experiment lasted. Saturated hydraulic conductivity and permeability of the soil ranged between moderately slow to moderately rapid conditions. The soil acidic level in the burnt plots reduced from highly acidic (5.3) to moderately acidic (6.0). The successive increase in pH level is probably attributed to annual application of animal manure. Available phosphorus increased progressively with the increasing temperature during the first two years before it decreased. Potassium was the most limiting nutrient in the soil. Biological properties of soil were also highly affected. This is because of sensitivity of micro-organisms and invertebrates towards high temperature. Fire decreases the number and species richness of both soil dwelling. But in comparison to micro-organisms, soil dwelling invertebrates were less affected because of high mobility and burrowing habit. This research has revealed the effects of fire on the soil ecosystem. Modifications caused by fire are very striking and immediately perceptible; but the delayed changes leave their mark on the soil and determine its future evolution.

Keywords: Tillage; Fallow; Manure; Nutrients; Heat; Carbon

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Citation

Citation: Ini D Edem., et al. “Organic C Sequestration in Acid Sands Treated with Cattle-Cud Digester Under Slash-and-Burn Agriculture in Nigeria". Acta Scientific Biotechnology 1.11 (2020): 41-53.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Ini D Edem., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.