Influence of lokpa cattle market wastes on agricultural soil quality

Abstract

This paper examined the influence of Lokpa cattle market waste on soil properties. Soil samples were collected from the Central, 3 and 6 m Northwards, Southwards, Eastwards and Westwards of Lokpa cattle market, Umuneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria at a depth of 0 to 25 cm (Sample A) and 26 to 50 cm (Sample B) from each spot while the control samples were collected from an unimpacted area devoid of cattle rearing activities. Results of the physicochemical activities show that cattle waste soil had low acid pH range of 4.02 to 5.83 while soil moisture ranged from 14.90 to 21.58, Organic carbon ranged from 1.92 to 2.83. The enzymatic activities of cattle waste soil were found to be higher (P<0.05) than the control. This however could be due to input from the cattle waste leading to increased enzymatic activities. The pH of the cattle waste soils were found to be lower than the control, hence proper care should be taken in the quantity of these waste applied to farms as they can increase soil acidity. The presence of cattle dung could be responsible for the general changes observed.

Key words: Cattle, waste, market, soil, quality.