Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon Stocks, and Soil Total Nitrogen in Central Equatorial State, South Sudan
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Date
2024-12-06
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International Journal of Bioresource Science
Abstract
The composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil organic nitrogen (SON) is imperative to soil health in
different agroecological zones globally. The proliferation of anthropogenic activities triggers the nitrogen
and carbon stocks in soils. This study presents the spatial distribution of SOC and SON in six counties
in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan counties. This study sought to determine the effect of pastoral
activities on SOC and SON. We collected the soil samples within a 12-14 km radius from specific areas
including congregation, grazing, degraded, water points, and agricultural land. The soil was collected at
depths of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm respectively. The results indicate that land use activities had
varied impacts on SOC and SON at different depths. The results showed that the interactive effects of the
three sites and land uses differed in soil organic carbon (SOC) under different soil depths, which varied
from 0.3 to 5.3%. The grazing area also recorded a higher SOC than the other land use types under 0-10
cm soil depth. The means showed that the SOC in the deep soils (20-30 cm) was lower than the surface
soils in all the areas and land uses. The interactive effects of the districts and land uses differed in soil
organic carbon (SOC) under different soil depths, which varied from 0.3 to 5.3%. The highest mean SOC
of 5.73% was recorded in 0-10 depth in Kajokeji in the grazing area. The grazing area also recorded a
higher SOC than the other land use types under 0-10 cm soil depth. The means showed that the SOC in
the deep soils 20-30 cm was lower than the surface soils in all the areas and land uses. The results thus
underscore that study areas and land use activity could impact the SOC and SON directly or indirectly.
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Citation
Malo, M.O., Ladu, J.L.C., Mukeka, J., Maitra, S., Gitari, H. and Gweyi-Onyango, J. (2024). Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon Stocks, and Soil Total Nitrogen in Central Equatorial State, South Sudan. Int. J. Bioresource Sci., 11(02): 181-190.