Abstract

Physicochemical assessment of soil during yam cultivation (Dioscorea spp.) is essential for understanding nutrient dynamics, soil fertility, and crop productivity in tropical farming systems. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of soils collected from three yam farms within the University of Benin community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-15 cm across the three different farms from pre-planting, during growth and harvest stage and analyzed. Standard laboratory procedures and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry were used to determine soil physical and chemical characteristics. Data obtained were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance at p < 0.05. Soil pH ranged from moderately acidic to near-neutral, with values between 5.55 and 7.21 across the farms. Temperature increased progressively from about 25.90°C at pre-planting to 29.10°C at harvest. Moisture content and organic matter declined during the growth stage before increasing slightly at harvest. In Farm 1, moisture content decreased from 12.65% to 10.13%, while organic matter reduced from 3.06% to 2.40% during growth. Nitrogen concentrations increased markedly, reaching peak values of 792.62 mg/kg, 632.21 mg/kg, and 1124.00 mg/kg in Farms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Potassium and electrical conductivity declined during growth but improved slightly at harvest. Farm 3 also recorded increased phosphorus content of 27.19 mg/kg. The findings indicate active nutrient utilization and emphasize the importance of sustainable soil fertility management for improved yam production. Continuous organic matter supplementation, balanced fertilization, and routine soil monitoring are therefore necessary for maintaining productivity and long-term sustainability in farms