ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF BUSH BURNING ON SOIL IN KAJURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Bush burning is a common practice in both the savannah and forest zones of Nigeria and has greatly altered the soil status, especially in Kajuru LGA. The study was conducted to identify the causes of bush burning on soil around Kasuwa Magani, Kajuru LGA Kaduna, Nigeria, investigate the consequences of bush burning on soil nutrients and soil physicochemical properties and microbial biomass activity. Laboratory soil analysis was conducted on burnt land and unburnt land and  Kjeldahl method was employed for nitrogen assessment., the Bray II method for phosphorus, and the flame photometer method for potassium. CEC was determined by the ammonium acetate method, while soil microbial activity was assessed by the substrate-induced respiration (SIR) method. Three soil samples were collected from burnt and unburnt soil, each of which makes a total of six samples and the distance from each sample is 5 m, soil samples were collected using a soil auger at a depth of 0-15 cm. Independent t-test was employed and also observational technique was used to assess the main causes of bush burning on soil. The results showed that there is no significant difference in soil nutrients, soil physio-chemical properties and microbial biomass activity between burnt soil and unburnt soil due to low fire intensity in the study area. It also shows that the main causes of bush burning in the study area were farm clearing, hunting and sometimes arson. It is important to create public awareness campaign on the need to preserve the soil ecosystem by avoiding the dangers of bush burning on land.