Research Article

Evaluation of Soils on a Toposequence Formed from the Coastal Plain Sands of the Imo River Basin, Southeastern Nigeria

Madueke, C.O1*, Nnabude, P.C.1, Okore, I.K1, Onunwa A.O.2, Madueke, E.C3, Okafor, M.J1, Nnabuihe, E1, Nwosu, T.V1
1 Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
2 Department. of Soil Science & Land Resources Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
3 Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State
* Corresponding author: co.madueke@unizik.edu.ng
Published: Aug, 2021
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2021.max2lohx
Pages: 1-9
Views: 528
Downloads: 779

Abstract

Due to the increasing land degradation in southeastern Nigeria – with particular reference to the ubiquitous gully network in the region – selected soils formed from the Coastal Plain Sands of the Imo River Basin were evaluated and char- acterized to determine their potentials and capabilities. , Three profile pits were consequently dug on the upper slope (Umuariam), -mid-slope (Umulogho), and foot slope (Umungwa) of three towns on the Imo River Basin underlain by the coastal plain sands. The soil color ranged from greyish brown (5 YR 5/2) to dull brown (7.5 YR 5/3) in the topsoil and from dull orange (5 YR 6/4) to or- ange (5 YR 6/7) in the subsoil. The soils had sandy topsoil and relatively more clayey subsoil. The pH (in KCl) ranged from very strongly acidic (4.5 – 5.0) to moderately acidic (5.1 – 6.0). They had low organic matter, low total nitrogen, low ECEC, low Al saturation, and moderate base saturation. The soils of Umuariam (Upper Slope) and Umulogho (Mid Slope) were classified as Typic Hapludults (Chromic Acrisols), while that of Umungwa (Foot Slope) was clas- sified as Typic Udipsamments (Rubic Arenosols). Umuariam had a USDA land capability class of IIes and a USBR land capability class of 2v/C. Umulogho and Umungwa both had a USDA and USBR capability class of IVs and 3v/C respectively. Though moderately to marginally irrigable, the soils can still pro- duce increased and sustainable agricultural yield if the appropriate land use and husbandry practices are adopted, with particular reference to erosion control, organic manure, lime, and fertilizer application.

Keywords

Coastal Plain Sands Toposequence Soil Characterization Soil Classification Land Evaluation River Basin

References

  1. Abam, P.O. and Orji, O.A. (2019) Morphological and Physicochemical properties of soils formed from diverse parent materials in Cross River State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics (IOSR-JAGG), 7 (1): 1 – 7
  2. Akamigbo, F.O.R. (1984). The accuracy of field texture in a humid tropical environment. Soil Survey and Land Evaluation 493: 63-70.
  3. Akpa, E. A., Eyong, M. O., Afu, S. M. andOlim, D. M. (2019)Hydraulic Properties of Soils of Akani Esuk Orok in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. World News of Natural Sciences, 22: 102 – 109
  4. Arshad, M.A., Lowery, B. and Grossman, B. (1996) Physical tests for monitoring soil quality. Pp. 123-142. In: J.W. Doran and A.J. Jones (eds.) Methods for assessing soil quality. Soil Science Society of America Special Publication 49. SSSA, Madison, W.I.
  5. Brady, N.C., and Weil, R.R. (2016) Nature and properties of soils (15th ed.). Columbus: Pearson Education, Inc. 1104 pp.
  6. Bremner, J. M and Mulvaney, G. S. (1982) Nitrogen total. In: A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, and D. R. Keeney, (eds.) Methods of soil analysis. Parts 2. American Society of Agronomy, No, 9, Madison, WIS Pp. 595-624.
  7. Chikezie, I.A., Eswaran, H., Asawalam, D.O. and Ano, A.O. (2010) Characterization of two benchmark soils of contrasting parent materials in Abia state, Southeastern Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 16 (1): 23 – 29.
  8. Donahue, R.L., Miller, R.W. and Shickluna, J.C. (1990) Soils: An introduction to soil and plant growth (5th ed.). New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India. 667 pp.
  9. Esu, I.E. (2004) Soil characterization and mapping for food security and sustainable environment in Nigeria. A Keynote address was presented at the 29th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria held at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria. Pp. 9-18.
  10. Esu, I.E. and Ojanuga, A.G. (1986) Soil characterization studies within the natural levees of River Kaduna, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science 6: 1-13.
  11. Fagbami, A.A. and Ogunkunle, O.O. (2000) Soil survey, land evaluation, and agronomy: The Nigerian case study. In: Agronomy of Nigeria. Pp. 165-173.
  12. FAO (2001) Lecture notes on the major soils of the world. In: P. Driessen, J. Deckers and F. Nachtergaele (eds.). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
  13. FAO (2006) Guidelines for soil description (4th ed.). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 97 pp.
  14. FAO (2015) Sustainable soil management: Key to food security and nutrition in Africa. Nature & Faune, 30 (1): 1 – 119. Accra: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  15. Gee, G. W. and Bauder, J. W. (1986). Particle size analysis. In: A. Klute (ed.) Methods of soil analysis (Part 1) American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WIS. pp: 91-100
  16. Igbozuruike, M. U. (1975). Vegetation types. In: Nigeria in maps: Eastern States. G. E. K. Ofomata (ed.). Benin City: Ethiope Publishing. Pp. 30-32.
  17. Igwe, C.A. and Akamigbo, F.O.R. (2001) Application of topo maps and aerial photo interpretation in a detailed soil survey for irrigation purposes in a derived savanna zone of Southeastern Nigeria. In: Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria held at University of Calabar, Nigeria. Pp.18-28.
  18. International Institute for Tropical Agriculture [IITA] (1979) Selected methods for soil and plant analysis. IITA Manual Series No. 1. IITA Ibadan, Nigeria. 71pp.
  19. IUSS (2006) World reference base for soil resources 2006. World Soil Resources Reports No. 103. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  20. Jackson, M.L. (1962) Soil chemical analysis. New York: Prentice-Hall Inc. 498 pp.
  21. Klingebiel, A.A. and Montgomery, P.H. (1961) Land capability classification. Agricultural Handbook 210, Soil Conservation Service. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Printing Office. 21 pp.
  22. Landon, J.R. (ed.) (2013) Booker tropical soil manual: A handbook for survey and agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and subtropics. Oxon: Routledge. 474 pp.
  23. Madueke, C.O. (2010) Characterization, classification, and land use recommendations of selected soils in parts of Imo River Basin in Southeastern Nigeria. An M. Sc. thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. [Accessed on 12/01/2020 from [https://futospace.futo.edu.ng/bitstream/handle/123456789/2911/MADUEKE_CLASSIFICATION_2010.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y](https://futospace.futo.edu.ng/bitstream/handle/123456789/2911/MADUEKE_CLASSIFICATION_2010.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y)]
  24. Mclean, E.V. (1982) Aluminum. In: A.L. Page, R.H. Miller and D.R. Keeney (eds.) Methods of soil analysis (Parts 2). America Society of Agronomy, Madison, WIS. Pp 978-998.
  25. McWhorter, D.B. and Sunda, D.K. (1977) Ground-water hydrology and hydraulics. Fort Collins: Water Resources Publications. Pp. 79-80.
  26. Monanu, P. C. (1975) Humidity. In: G.E.K. Ofomata (ed.) Nigeria in maps: Eastern States. Benin City: Ethiope Publishing House. Pp. 19-21.
  27. Nelson, D. W., and Sommers, L. E. (1982) Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In: A. L. Page, R. H. Miller and D. R. Keeney (eds.) Methods of soil analysis (Part 2). American Society of Agronomy. Madison, WIS. Pp. 539-599.
  28. Obi, J.C. (2015) Prediction of characteristics of coastal plain soils using terrain attributes. Agro-Science Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension, 14 (3): 22 – 26.
  29. Oguike, P.C. and Mbagwu, J.S.C. (2009)Variations in some physical properties and organic matter content of soils of Coastal Plain Sand under different land-use types.World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 5 (1): 63 – 69.
  30. Olsen, S. R., and Somers, L.E. (1982) Phosphorus. In: A. L. Page, R. H. Miller and D. R. Keeney (eds.) Methods of soil analysis (Part 2). American Society of Agronomy, MadisonWIS, Pp 403-430.
  31. Orajaka, S. O. (1975) Geology. In: G.E.K. Ofomata (ed.) Nigeria in maps: Eastern states. Benin City: Ethiope Publishing House. Pp. 5-7.
  32. Osemwota, I.0., Izevbigie, A., Ogboghodo, I.A. and Aghirnien, E.A. (2005) Different forms of potassium in some soils of central southern Nigeria. Indian Journal of. Agricultural Research, 39 (4): 249 – 255.
  33. Osuji, G.E., Eshett, E.T., Oti, N.N. and Ibeawuchi, I.I. (2002) Land use practices and the predisposition of selected watersheds in Imo State to erosion. In: Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria held at Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. Pp. 397-401.
  34. Osujieke, D.N., Imadojemu, P.E., Okon, M.A., andOkeke, O.M. (2018) Profile Distribution of Physical and Chemical Soil Properties in Izombe, Rainforest Zone of Nigeria. Bulgarian Journal of Soil Science, 3 (2): 90 – 103.
  35. Sanchez, P.A. (1976) Properties and management of soils in the tropics. New York: John Wiley and Sons. 618 pp.
  36. Soil Survey Staff (2014) Keys to soil taxonomy (12th ed.). Washington, DC: Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 359pp.
  37. USBR [United States Bureau of Land Reclamation] (1953) Land classification handbook. US Department of Interior Publication V, Part 2. 53 pp.
  38. USDA-NCRS (1996) Soil quality information sheet – Soil quality indicators: Aggregate stability. Prepared by the National Soil Survey Centre in conjunction with the Soil Quality Department of the Natural Resource Conservation Centre (NCRS) and National Soil Tilth Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
  39. Vomocil, J.A. (1965) Porosity. In: C.A. Black (ed.) Methods of soil analysis (Part 1). American Society of Agronomy 9: 99-314.
How to Cite

C.O, M., P.C., N., I.K, O., A.O., O., E.C, M., M.J, O., E, N., & T.V, N. (2021). Evaluation of Soils on a Toposequence Formed from the Coastal Plain Sands of the Imo River Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 31(2), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2021.max2lohx

M. C.O, N. P.C., O. I.K, O. A.O., M. E.C, O. M.J, N. E, and N. T.V, "Evaluation of Soils on a Toposequence Formed from the Coastal Plain Sands of the Imo River Basin, Southeastern Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 1-9, August 2021. doi: 10.67042/njss.2021.max2lohx

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF Back to Articles