Parametric and Non - Parametric Suitability Evaluations of Rice Soils of Asu River Group Parent Materials in Ohaozara, Nigeria

The study was carried out in Ohaozara Southern Ebonyi State in Southeastern Nigeria. Study area was identified in a rice soil of about 120 hectares used for FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development program (VCDP). Three profile pits were dug on a transect line of about 100 – 200m apart for suitability evaluation study. The aim of the study was to use parametric and non – parametric suitability evaluation to study the rice soils under Asu River Group parent material. Parametric method is where each limiting characteristic was rated using information provided on factor ratings of land use requirements for wetland ricetable. In Non-parametric method, pedons were placed in suitability classes by matching their land characteristics with the agronomic requirements of rice. The index of productivity (IP) (actual and potential) was calculated using the equation: IP= A x √(B/100 x C/100 x D/100xE/100). Suitability evaluation results show that climate, soil physical conditions and wetness were optimum S1(95%) and moderately suitable S2(85%) while,fertility and toxicity parameters made the soil marginally suitable S3(60%). Parametric and non – parametric suitability evaluation revealed that the soils were mostly marginally suitable both potentially and currently. Major limitations of the investigated soils bother on fertility and Al toxicity.