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ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effect of Theobroma Cacao (cocoa) cultivation on the quality of some soils in Sabongida-Ora, Edo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the soil nutrient status in the examined study sites and determine the differences in the physico-chemical properties of soils between cocoa plantation and swamp forest. Forty (40) soil samples at two depths (0-15cm and 15-30cm) were collected using systematic random methodology, at distance of 15m apart, from the two different land uses (cocoa plantation and swamp forest site). The physico-chemical properties of the soils were analysed in the laboratory following standard procedures and data obtained were subjected to student t-test statistical analysis. Results of the study indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in pH, T.N, TOC, SOM, silt and clay between the studied sites. The study concluded that cocoa cultivation had significant effect on the quality of soils in the topsoil (0-15cm) and subsoil (15-30cm) in the study area. The study recommended that further detailed studies could be conducted to examine soil quality in specific time period to give sound conclusions to sustainable land use.
