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Distribution of Total Nitrogen in Soils of the Tropical Highlands of Cameroon

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Abstract

Understanding the factors controlling soil total N (TN) is helpful in simulating N cycling at local and regional scales. This study was conducted with the aim to; (i) understand the distribution of TN in specific soil horizons (A and B horizons) of three reference soil groups: Acrisols, Cambisols and Ferralsols, common in humid tropical environments, and (ii) to identify factors controlling TN variations among the various soil groups. Twenty-eight Acrisols, 21 Cambisols and 8 Ferralsols profiles spanning a wide range of precipitation gradients, vegetation type/land use and parent materials, from the Northwestern Highlands (NWH) of Cameroon were considered. Soil properties were analyzed following standard procedures. TN had very high coefficients of variation (>35%) in all the reference soil groups (RSGs), with highest mean TN (0.31 ± 0.03%) observed in the A horizons of Acrisols and the lowest (0.05 ± 0.01%) in B horizons of Ferralsols. Variations in TN content were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by parent material, land use type, precipitation and slope gradient. In surface (A) horizons of all the RSGs, TN correlated positively and significantly with clay (p < 0.05), silt (p < 0.01) and soil organic carbon (SOC) (p < 0.01), and negatively with sand (p < 0.01). This observation was slightly different in subsurface (B) horizons. This study provides data which contributes to a better understanding of soil fertility in tropical highlands.

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  1. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon

    G. K. Kome, B. P. K. Yerima & R. K. Enang

  2. Kips Consult, Houttuinen Zuid 34, 7325 RK, Apeldoorn, Netherlands

    Ph. A. Kips

  3. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Gent B-9000, Krijgslaan 281(S8, Belgium

    E. Van Ranst

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Kome, G.K., Kips, P.A., Yerima, B.P. et al. Distribution of Total Nitrogen in Soils of the Tropical Highlands of Cameroon. Eurasian Soil Sc. 56, 889–901 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229322602682

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