CATTLE TRAMPLING AND SOIL COMPACTION EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES OF A NORTHEASTERN NIGERIAN SANDY LOAM

Field studies on the effects of cattle trampling and soil compaction were conducted on sandy loam soils in Northeastern Nigeria. Cattle trampling significantly (P less-than-or-equal-to 0.001) increased soil bulk density and cone penetrometer resistance. Trampling produced dense zones at a depth of 7.5 cm, which reduced infiltration, in spite of the existence of numerous macropores. Hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rate increased by over 11-fold between the heavily and lightly trampled soils while soil compaction decreased by 19%. Changes in soil structure from cattle hoof compaction can cause severe problems of soil degradation on rangelands.