Department of Agriculture Soil Science Option, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Basic Sciences Physics Option, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University,
Molindo, W.A., Department of Agriculture Soil Science Option, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Alile, O.M., Department of Basic Sciences Physics Option, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Investigations were conducted to evaluate the thermal conductivity of soils of Sedimentary rock origin in two locations namely; Obaretin in Ikpoba/Okha and Idumabi-Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Areas respectively in Edo State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at validating the effects of the thenrial regimes of these soils and their relation to soil productivity. The investigation showed that soil conductivity is related to temperature factors such as soil resistance and resistivity that controls the processes involved in the production and plant growth. The investigation showed that soil thermal conductivity is related to temperature and solar radiation factors such as soil resistance and resistivity, that control the processes involved in plant growth and productivity with accompanied macro and micro fauna in soils. Functional activities of plant roots such as absorption of water and nutrients are encouraged at low or high soil thermal conductivity levels. In this study, there were significant (p = 0.05) differences in thermal conductivity in the soils of both locations. Similarly soil resistance and resistivity were significantly different (p = 0.05) in the two locations (Obaretin and Idumabi Irrua) in Ikpoba-Okha and Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. This study indicates attributes of temperature changes in soil regimes, reflecting the difference in vegetation obtained in the two locations. Therefore soil productivity and plant growth is influenced by soil thermal conductivity and it's related factors such as soil resistance and resistity. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.