Impact of Flood on Soil Microbial Diversity and Agricultural Productivity in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Flooding in Ringim and Auyo, Jigawa State, Nigeria's agricultural lands threatens soil microbial diversity critical for agricultural productivity. These areas experience frequent floods that may negatively affect edaphic microbial populations. This study assesses the impact of flooding on bacterial and fungal communities in soil samples collected before and after flood events. Surface soil was sampled from eight farmland communities, and microbial populations were evaluated using culture-based plate counts and 16S rRNA/ITS sequencing. Results showed substantial microbial abundance and diversity post-flood declines, driven by unfavorable conditions such as high pH and low organic matter. Aerobic bacteria like Bacillus and Pseudomonas decreased significantly, while anaerobic Clostridium increased; among fungi, Aspergillus declined, with flood-tolerant Fusarium becoming prominent. Heavy rains and loss of ground cover were identified as key factors exacerbating soil quality degradation. This study underscores the vital role of soil microbes in maintaining soil health and advocates for enhanced flood mitigation and sustainable agricultural practices to improve flood resilience in these regions.