Changes in Soil Physical Properties Due to Variable Weather Conditions Under Two Soil Types in South Western Nigeri

Soil physical properties changes with weather conditions over time. The degree of variation might be influenced by different soil textural classes. This study aimed at understanding the changes in soil physical with varying weather conditions under two soil textures. The research was conducted in cassava fields at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Psaltry International Limited, Iseyin, with sandy clay loam (SCL) and loamy sand (LS) textural classes, respectively. At each location, the cassava fields were established in the months of April and August, 2017. In 2018, soil measurements and sample collection were conducted immediately prior to the cassava harvesting at 9 (early sampling) and 11 (late sampling) months after planting. This correspond to January and March (dry season) for April planting and May and July (rainy season) for August planting. At both season, soil bulk density was higher under SCL than LS and higher during the rainy (1.41 g cm-3 ) than dry season (1.34 g cm-3 ). The SCL texture had higher soil moisture content in both rainy (17.8 cm3 cm-3 ) and dry (10.7 cm3 cm3 ) seasons, than LS. Soil temperature was significantly higher during the rainy season than dry season. The LS had significantly higher saturated hydraulic conductivity than SCL with 41.9% and 21.4% increase during dry and rainy season, respectively. Infiltration parameters were higher for SCL than SCL texture. The changes in weather condition and variation in soil textural class alters the state of soil physical properties, which may require site specific management practices.