The present study evaluated the impacts of maize cultivation on soil properties under the continuous monocropping system of farming in South-western Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from both cultivated maize plot and less disturbed secondary forest, both lying contiguous to each other. Laboratory analysis was carried out to determine the levels of particle size composition, porosity, bulk density; and concentrations of Cations Exchange Capacity (CEC), Exchangeable Sodium (Na), Exchangeable Calcium (Ca), Exchangeable Magnesium (Mg), Available Phosphorous (P), Soil pH, Exchangeable Acidity, Organic Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N). The mean of each of these soil properties was used for comparison and t-test was also used to determine the significant difference that exists in each soil property. The result shows that the level of C, N and porosity were higher in soils under forest than soils under maize. However, there was no significant difference in Exchangeable Acidity, Mg, Soil pH and Ca in the two land use types. Nevertheless, the concentrations of Na and K were higher in the cultivated soils while P and Ca were lower in the cultivated soils. The particle size composition was predominantly sandy. Planting of cover crops, mixed cropping and mulching among others were suggested as ways to minimize erosion and leaching so that fertility can be restored and maintained.
