ABSTRACT
MULTI LOCATION FIELD EXPERIMENT ON IMPACTS OF COMMONLY USED
HERBICIDES ON SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROBIAL LOAD IN MAKURDI LGA, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
Journal: Idakwo Samuel, Onekutu Amana, Ebah Esther and Daniel Edinoh
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Doi: 10.26480/gws.01.2025.45.48
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of commonly used herbicides on soil physicochemical properties and microbial load in three different communities (locations) in Makurdi LGA (Local Government Area) of Benue State, Nigeria. Three commercial herbicides were applied at two levels of treatments each (350ml and 450ml) in replicated trials. Consequently, soil at Beetseh community showed a little decrease in the Electrical Conductivity (EC) and an increase in clay after treatment. The control EC was 485mS and it decreased to the lowest form (224mS) in force-up herbicide at 450ml dose. Control clay value was 6.48% and it increased to 13.20% in Sunphotex herbicide at 450 ml dose. Soil properties at Ucha location community showed a steady decrease in temperature from 26oC (control) to 26oC (450ml Sunphotex). The EC reduced from 457mS (control) to 305 (350ml ForceUp). Clay content increased from the control (4.13%) to 13.41% (Sunphotex at 450ml) with reduced silt level. Soil properties at Ujam location showed a decreased pH from 6.21 in control to 5.64 in Sunphotex at 450ml. Clay content increased from the control (3.2%) to 8.4% in ForceUp and Sunphotex at 450ml each with reduced silt level. Herbicide application affected the soil properties depending on the brand and location. In summary, clay content increased while electrical conductivity, temperature and pH reduced. Alteration was not herbicide specific. The total viable microbial load from the three locations showed an increase microbial load in all the samples after herbicide treatment. Sunphotex yielded the highest average bacterial count of 6 x10-6 at 450ml. The highest average fungal count was 5 x10-4 in ForceUp and Uproot at 350ml applications. Although soil parameters were found within the FEPA permissible range, there is need for control and monitoring of rate of herbicide application to maintain the structure and function of the soil for sustainable use.
| Pages | 45-48 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Volume | 9 |
