Research Article

Characterization and Classification of Obudu Mountains Steep Hillside Soils.

ESSOKA A. N.1*, ESSOKA P. A2
1 Department of Agronomy, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.
2 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: essokaan@soilsjournalnigeria.com
Published: Apr, 2014
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2014.997h35pt
Pages: 1-12
Views: 694
Downloads: 1,083

Abstract

Soil characterization helps us understand soils better which leads to their classification into categories. The steep hillside soils of three Obudu mountain ranges were selected for profile study for their morphological and physicochemical properties at Belekete, Bottom Hill and Belinge. The soils were well-drained and deeply weathered. The mean percentage of sand, silt and clay were 54 %, 59 % and 48 %; 22 %, 18 % and 19 %; and 24 %, 23 % and 33 % for Belekete, Bottom Hill and Belinge respectively. The soils were generally acidic with mean pH ranging from 4.52-5.93, while mean organic carbon results range from 1.09 to 2.21 %. The mean total nitrogen value of the soils was 0.56 % while the mean cation exchange capacity (NH4OAc) was 11.23 cmol/kg. The mean available phosphorus ranged from 1.97-4.96 mg/kg while the base saturation (NH4OAc) ranged from 30.75-51.59 %. The hillside soil in Belekete was classified as an Ultisol (Typic Paleustult) for possessing kandic B horizon and percent base saturation less than 35 % by some of the cations around 200cm below the soil surface. Using the FAO/UNESCO classification it was classified as Haplic Ferralsol. The hillside soils at Bottom Hill and Belinge possessed argillic B horizon, moderate to high percentage base saturation with umbric and mollic epipedon respectively. They were classified as Alfisols. The Bottom Hill profile was classified as Inceptic Haplustalf (Umbric Acrisol) while Belinge profile as Mollic Haplustalf (Mollic Nitisol). Since the soils are deep, the cultivation of tree crops or forestry species can best preserve the soils of these steep hillsides.

Keywords

characterization classification steep hillsidesoils alfisols.

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How to Cite

N., E. A., & A, E. P. (2014). Characterization and Classification of Obudu Mountains Steep Hillside Soils.. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 24(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2014.997h35pt

E. A. N., and E. P. A, "Characterization and Classification of Obudu Mountains Steep Hillside Soils.," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1-12, April 2014. doi: 10.67042/njss.2014.997h35pt

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