EFFECT OF POULTRY MANURE AND UREA ON SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AT ALIKO DANGOTE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WUDIL

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of poultry manure and urea on the physical properties of soil at the Teaching and Research Farm of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated three times: control (no amendment), poultry manure at 10 t/ha, urea at 100 kg/ha, and a combination of poultry manure (10 t/ha) + urea (100 kg/ha). Soil samples were collected before and after treatment from the 0–15 cm depth and analyzed for particle density, electrical conductivity (EC), and texture using standard laboratory procedures. Results showed that poultry manure and urea significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased soil electrical conductivity, indicating improved nutrient and soluble ion concentration. The highest EC value (432.33 µS/cm) was recorded in the combined treatment, while the control had the lowest (82.33 µS/cm). However, particle density and soil texture (sandy loam) remained statistically unchanged during the experimental period, suggesting that these physical properties are relatively stable in the short term. The study concludes that the combined use of poultry manure and urea enhances soil nutrient availability and ionic balance without adversely affecting soil physical stability. It recommends the integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizers for sustainable soil fertility and productivity improvement in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria.