Temporal changes in fertility and microbial properties of soil in forest-converted oil palm plantations in Okomu forest reserve, Nigeria

Evidence of the impacts of land-use change on soil biological activities, a determinant of nutrient cycling in soil, will provide a better understanding of soil health and productivity. The study investigates temporal changes in soil chemical and microbial properties in a forest converted to oil palm plantation. Soil samples from four locations: native forest and Elaeis guineensis plantations of 2-, 13- and 14-year were collected. Total carbon C and N were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the native forest (NF) followed by 14- and 13-year E. guineensis plantations respectively. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) in NF were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the E. guineensis plantations. There were no significant differences in the microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) among the E. guineensis plantation of all ages. The qCO(2) in the 13- and 14-year E. guineensis plantations was higher than in NF and 2-year E. guineensis plantation. There was a positive correlation between MBC, MBN, MBP and pH, P, TC, and TN. These results indicated that conversion of native forest to E. guineensis plantation affected soil nutrient and microbial properties. And there could be a return to healthy soil condition as age of E. guineensis plantation increased.