Assessment of Microbial Properties of Soils Underlain by Different Geological Materials in Enugu State South Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study investigated the assessment of microbial properties of soils underlain by different geological materials in Enugu state, southeastern Nigeria. Four locations were chosen for study with soils of different geological materials; Ikem has shale and limestone, Agbani has shale and mudstone, Umulokpa has clay, shale and limestone, Ogbede has false bedded sandstone,coal and shale. In each location, soil samples were collected at 0-20cm and 20-40cm depths in triplicates. The soils were air dried and sieved with 2mm sieve then the pH was analysed at the Department of Soil science laboratory. The microbial properties were analysed at the Department of Microbiology laboratory and the analysed data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT Discovery Version (2009). The pH value of all the locations indicated that the soil was strongly acidic (4.7) to slightly acidic (6.5). There were significant in Microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen across the location and soil depths, Umulokpa has the highest value of MBC and MBN at 20-40cm depth compared to other locations.There were no significant difference in the bacterial count and soil respiration across the locations and soil depths. Adequate application of organic materials such as compost, green manure, and crop residues are recommended in areas with low MBC and MBN.