Egondu Umeobi

A Soil scientist, interested in environmental soil science research. My passion for environmental soil research was instigated when I visited the southeastern, Nigeria. I noted that most of the agricultural lands where often polluted by contaminants. My desire to solve problems related to this prompted me to study soil science.

During my undergraduate. I was interested in anthropogenic activities on soil quality and the ecosystem. This prompted me to undertake research titled: "Influence of land use on soil physicochemical properties in semi-humid Nsukka area of Nigeria." In this work, the influence of selected land-use types (oil palm plantation, rubber plantation, grassland, and cassava farm) on soil physicochemical properties of coarse-textured, acidic soils in southeastern Nigeria were assessed, focusing on soil nutrients availability, improvement, and sustainable use. From the study's findings, it was concluded that land-use types influenced soil physical and chemical properties.

One of the most renowned authors and researchers in soil science, today -Prof. Rattan Lal (Winner of the world soil prize, 2018 and winner of the world food prize 2020) once noted in their work with other workers that one of the ways of addressing the disruption of the food chain caused by the covid19 pandemic is by focusing on researches in soil restoration through nutrients cycling, carbon sequestration and minimizing environmental pollution. This is why I developed this present research to enable us solve this problems. Having studied soil science I have no doubt that through rehabilitation of degraded soils, food security, environmental protection and climate mitigation can be achieved. Let's protect our soils.

June 2021