Physico-chemical Parameters of Fallowing Farmland Soils as It Affects Geohelminths in Isiodu, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background:This study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters of soils inenvironments used for open defaecation as if affects the prevalence of geohelminthes in IsioduEmohua, Rivers State,South South, Nigeria.Methods:A total of 240 soil samples were collected randomly from fallowing Farmlands used foropen defaecation in Isiodu Community in Emohua local Government Area, between the months ofJanuary-June 2013 and 2014 respectively. The samples were analysed for temperature, pH, organiccontent and Centrifugal flotation method was used to examine the samples for geohelminthes.Results:Evaluation of the results after two variations gave an average of 74 (61.6%) of the samplesas positive for geohelminthes; 22 (18.3%), 46(38.3%) and 6 (5%) for sandy, loamy and clayey soilsrespectively. This was statistically significant (P=.05). Physico-chemical parameters were;27.3±1ºC, 6.1 ± .2 and 12.9 ± 3% for temperature, pH and %organicmatter witheggsand larvae ofgeohelminthes recoveredone hundred times; sandy: 38 (38%), Loamy: 54 (54%) and Clayey: 8(8%).Ascarisspp30 (30%),Trichurisspp.16 (16%),hookworms11 (11%),Strongyloidesspp.5(5%),Enterobiusspp.2 (2%),Trichostrongylusspp.2 (2%),Meloidogynespp.21 (21%),Buracephalusspp. 1(1%),Bayliascarisspp. 3 (3%), andToxocaraspp. 9 (9%).Conclusion:Soil samples withhigher physico-chemical parameters especially temperature andorganic matter recorded high prevalence of the major human and plant geohelminthes in the area.Therefore direct dumping of human and other household waste to the soils at undesignated placesshould be discouraged.