Determination Of Erodibility Indices Of The Soils In Ikwuano Local Government Area In Abia State.

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion and degradation in Eastern part of Nigeria has posed a serious threat to life and properties. Both state and federal government has been challenged to find a lasting solution to the menace of erosion and degradation so as to prevent future damages to the region. This study investigated the edibility indices of soils in lkwuano Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia state in eastern part of Nigeria. Soil samples were randomly collected from ten locations in the four major communities of lkwuano LGA. The soil samples were analyzed to determine their erodibility indices using grain Sieve analysis. The results of the analysis show that Umudike community soils were predominantly sandy with the erodibility, indices of 0.188; this was followed by Umuariga 0.134. Further analysis was carried out using hydrometer test to determine the clay and silt soils the results obtained show that Oloko and Ariam has the least erodibility indices of 0.0012 and 0.0021. Generally, lkwuano soils were mainly consolidated sandy soils and possess little binding materials to resist detachment and transportation by agents of erosion hence adequate soil conservative measures are required to prevent severe erosions in these areas.