Effects of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhiodes) Sole Cropping on Soil Chemical Properties in Musawa Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pearl millet is the 6th most important world cereal. The study assessed the effects of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) on soil properties in Musawa area, Katsina state, Nigeria. Methods for the study involved: soil sampling were composite method was used to collect soil samples on 10 farmlands in five study villages of the area. The 10 samples were collected from five sampled plots under pearl millet sole (major cropping) and five control plot of mixed cropping. The samples were air dried, packaged in labeled polythene bags and transported to soil laboratory of Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano for analysis. Soil  properties tested are: pH, CEC, OC, N, P, K and Ca. Results show that while average pH (6.12) and CEC (1.583me/100g) were found under pearl millet sole cropping to be high and low respectively, pH (6.06) and CEC (2.159me/100g) under mixed cropping system were low and high respectively. Nitrogen, potassium, calcium as well as boron and exchangeable bases were found to be low, possibly declined due to millet sole cropping. Furthermore, under pearl millet sole cropping, soil was found to be low in OC, N, K, Ca and CEC respectively. It is recommended that mixed cropping systems traditional fertility management practices should be encouraged for the soils to withstand the continuous pearl millet cultivation in the study area.