THE INFLUENCE OF AN ORGANIC MATERIAL ON STABILIZING A VERTISOL IN BORNO STATE NIGERIA FOR AGRICULTURALAND STRUCTURAL USES

摘要

In Northeastern Nigeria, vertisol is commonly used for agricultural activities as well as for some structural purposes. However, the swelling and cracking characteristics of vertisol when wet and dry made the soil unapproachable by farmers during theplanting season and other users for structural purposes.The influence of cow dung an organic material which is readily available in Northeastern Nigeria on the stability of Firgi vertisol for agricultural activities and structural purposes was investigated in the Agricultural Engineering Department Laboratoryof the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.The consistency limits, bulk density, penetration resistance, shear strength, saturated hydraulic conductivity and cracking patterns of the soil were measured and determined after mixing the cow dung with the vertisol.Results indicated that cow dung decreased bulk density, penetration resistance, shear strength, saturated hydraulic conductivity and cracking patterns of the soil. While, saturated hydraulic conductivity increased with increase in organic matter contentirrespective of the load applied to compact the soil.The implications of the results on agricultural practices and structural uses are discussed.