https://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/80/issue/feedReview of Environment and Earth Sciences2024-12-18T00:31:35-06:00Open Journal Systemshttps://archive.conscientiabeam.com/index.php/80/article/view/4004Porosity and water retention characteristics of humid tropical soil at specific depths of different land use practices 2024-12-18T00:31:35-06:00Amanze Chikamnele Tochukwuchikamneleamanze@gmail.comIbe, Kalu Olughukalu@claretianuniversity.edu.ngNwosu Comfort Ogochukwuogonwosu@yahoo.comEluagu Kelechi Fransiscangamakellyben@gmail.comUkabiala Maduabuchi Ekeomasuccessfulmadu@yahoo.comOkoror Patiencepiokoror@biu.edu.ng<p>Soil porosity and water retention characteristics influence permeability and water dynamics of soils. This study examines soil porosity and water retention characteristics of different land-use practices at specific depths. The split-plot experiment under Randomized Complete Block Design had land-use as the main plot factor at four levels, and depth, the sub-plot factor at five levels. Soil samples were collected at specific depths of nine randomly selected points in each land-use. Samples were analyzed in a laboratory. Data were analyzed for variance and correlation using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, respectively. Results showed that treatments varied significantly (P≤5 %); oil palm plantation (OP) had the highest water content at 0 – 20 and 20 – 40 cm depths, while continuously cultivated land (CC) had the lowest water content across depths. Also, OP had the highest total porosity at 0 – 80 cm depths, while grassland (GL) had the lowest total porosity across depths. The CC had the highest macro-porosity across depths, while forest land (FL) had the lowest accordingly. Porosity decreased with increase in depth, while water retention characteristics increased with depth. There was significant (P≤5 %) negative relationship between soil porosity and water retention characteristics at the land-use practices. The order of optimum soil porosity and water retention capacity of the land-use practices was OP ˃ FL ˃ GL ˃ CC, while the strength of the relationship between porosity and water retention characteristics was greatest at the soil under CC.</p>2024-12-18T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2024