Impact of Charcoal Production on Nutrients of Soils under Woodland Savanna Part of Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examines the consequences of charcoal production on soil nutrients in woodland savanna vegetation. Forty soil samples were collected from charcoal production site and adjacent fallow land at 0-20cm depth for analysis and comparison. Essential soil parameters were analyzed using standard laboratory analytical procedures. Coefficient of variation and student “t’ test analysis were used to summarize and draw inferences from the results. The results show that most of the soil properties analyzed are generally homogeneous except those of silt and phosphorous in both sampled sites and total Nitrogen of the Fallow land. The ‘t’ test result revealed that the mean values of all analysed soil properties in charcoal production environment are significantly different from those of the fallow land except sand Silt and Total Nitrogen. This suggests that charcoal production effect some changes in the values of these soil properties. The changes reflect an increase in the values of these parameters, it then implies that charcoal material can serve as soil amendment apparatus in this ecological zone. The study therefore recommends that selective tree harvesting and aggressive wood plantation should be rigorously pursued. This will in fact generate employment  at local level.

Key words: soil nutrient, charcoal production, woodland, savanna, soil properties