VARIABILITY OF NPK AND MICROBIAL POPULATION IN THE SOIL UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE IN MANTA ABAK AKWA IBOM STATE

Variability of NPK and microbial population under three land use types was studied on the soils of Manta Abak, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The study aimed at comparing soil NPK and microbial population under different land use types, determining microbial population and identifying the relationship between selected soil properties and microbial count in the soils. Land use types used in the study were; Arable land, Secondary Forest and Oil Palm Plantation. Fungi and bacteria colonies of the soils were isolated using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Nutrient Agar (NA) respectively. Physical and chemical properties of the soils of respective land use types along with microbial population were compared using analysis of variance (Anova). Correlation matrix was used to identify the relationship (interaction) between soil properties and microbial population of the soils. Results shown that clay, EC, OM, TN, Na, and EA content of the soils was not significant. But sand, silt, pH, Ca, Mg, K, ECEC and Base saturation were significant while bacteria and fungi population were not significant. Only soil pH had significant relationship with bacteria population whereas none of the soil properties correlated significantly with fungi population of the soils.