Soil Macro Nutrients Variability Across Different Land Use Practices in Bunkure Lga, Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

This research was conducted in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria, to
examine how different agricultural land use practices influence soil micronutrient availability.
The main objective was to quantify the level of key soil macro nutrients measure (%OC, %TN,
K, P, Na, Ca, S, Mg) across these systems, and to understand how soil pH, texture, and electrical
conductivity influence their availability. RCBD method was adopted when taken sample, ten soil
samples were collected from the depth of 0–30 cm of soil. The samples were analyzed using
standardized laboratory procedures. One-way ANOVA was used to assess statistical differences
among land use types. Results showed significant variations in macronutrient concentrations
among the land uses. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable sodium shows no
significant difference, however available phosphorus was observed to be higher in tree land with
value of 83.37mg/kg followed by vegetables and cereal land with values of 15.87mg/kg and
2.490mg/kg respectively, calcium was also varied with higher value observed in vegetable land
2.6065cmol/kg followed by tree land and cereal land with values of 1.9318cmol/kg and
0.6545cmol/kg respectively. Soil particle size distribution showed significant difference, the sand
fraction recorded the highest value 82.0%in cereal land followed by silt and clay particle with
values of 24.0% and 5.33% in tree land and vegetables land respectively. Tree cropping systems
had the highest macronutrient content due to higher accumulation of litter, longer nutrients
cycling and organic residues follow by vegetables crop land showed moderate levels, benefiting
from intensive fertilizer application and organic amendment while cereal cropping systems
exhibited the lowest levels, likely due to monocropping, sandy soils, and poor nutrient
management. The study recommends the adoption of integrated soil fertility management
(ISFM) practices, including the use of organic matter, balanced fertilization with macronutrients,
and soil pH correction. These strategies are essential for enhancing nutrient availability and
ensuring sustainable crop production across all farming systems.