Research Article

Soil Fertility and Productivity Test Analysis of Selected Soils of Evite Otu, Aguleri, Anambra East Lga, Anambra State

Adesemuyi E.A1*, Okonkwo E I2, Nwaoba W. O2, Onwuka, M. I3
1 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
2 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, PMB 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
3 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, College of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, PMB 7627 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: adesemuyi@yahoo.com
Published: Aug, 2022
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2022.xfj542dq
Pages: 42-52
Views: 494
Downloads: 673

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the fertility and productivity potentials of selected soils of Evite Otu, Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State, with a view to making adequate management practices for sustainable crop production in the area. Three mapping units were delineated using the transect method of soil survey. The properties of the surface soil of the units were examined for fertility status while the profile characteristics assessed for productivity potentials for the cultivation of sweet potatoes, cassava, cowpea and lowland rice. Results obtained across the mapping units showed low sand (26%) fractions with irregular distribution down the depth. Soil reaction varied from very strongly (4.50 - 5.00) to strongly (5.10 - 5.40) acid conditions. Percent organic carbon was generally high (> 1.6 %). Total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium values were generally moderate. The productivity of mapping unit 1 was limited by imperfectly drained condition (w) and thus, currently marginally suitable (S3) for the cultivation of sweet potatoes, cassava and cowpea but moderately suitable (S2) for lowland rice cultivation. The optimal performance of mapping unit 2 was constrained by fertility (f) thus, currently moderately suitable (S2) for the cultivation of sweet potatoes, cassava and cowpea but marginally suitable (S3) for lowland rice cultivation. Mapping unit 3 was highly suitable (S1) for sweet potatoes, moderate (S2) for cassava, and marginal (S3) for cowpea and lowland rice cultivation. Adequate drainage, liming, application of appropriate fertilizers and suitable soil management would enhance optimal productivity of the land for the crops.

Keywords

Soil properties Soil fertility Land evaluation Crops cultivation

References

  1. Aderonke, D. O. and Gbadegesin, G. A. (2013). Spatial Variability in Soil Properties of a Continuously Cultivated Land. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(5): 473-483 (Published 2013); Buol et al., 2011.
  2. Anah, U. C. and Isong, I. A. (2015). Land Capability and Soil Suitability of some Acid Sand Soil Supporting Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jaco) trees in Calabar, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 25:92-109.
  3. Amusan, A.A., Shitu, A.K., Makinde, W.O. and Orewole O. (2006). Assessment of Changes in Some Selected Soil Properties under Different Land Uses in Obafemi Awolowo University Community, Ile-Ife. Electronic Journal of Environmental Agriculture and Food Chemistry 5(1): 118-1190.
  4. Ande, O. T., J. A. Adediran, O. T. Ayoola & T. A. Akinlosotu. (2008). Effects of Land Quality Management and Farming Systems on Cassava Production in Southwestern Nigeria. Africa. Journal of Biotechnology, 17: 3268-3374.
  5. Chude, V.O., Olayiwola, S.O., Osho, A.O. and C.K. Daudu (2011). Fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Nigeria. Fourth Edition. Federal Fertilizer Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria. pp 1-59.
  6. Esu, I. E. (2004). Soil Characterization and Mapping for Food Security and Sustainable Environment in Nigeria. In: Salako, F.K., M.T. Adetunji, A.G. Ojanuga, T.A. Arowo and A.O. Ojeniyi (ed.): Managing Soil Resources for Food Security and a Better Quality of Environment. Proceeding of 29th Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria held at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 9-17.
  7. FAO (2011). Food and Agriculture Organization. The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture. Managing Systems at Risk; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Earthscan: Abingdon, UK. ISBN 978-1-84971-326-9.
  8. FAO (1984). Food and Agricultural Organization Guidelines: Land Evaluation for Rainfed.
  9. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2016). A Framework for Fertility Land Evaluation. FAO Bulletin 92, FAO/UNESCO, France.
  10. Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO (2006). Guidelines for Soil Description Fourth Edition. FAO, Rome, Italy. 97pp.
  11. Hazelton P. & B. Murphy (2016). Interpreting Soil Test Results. CSIRO Publisher, Australia. 152pp. In Proceedings of ACBF in Hong Kong of the Indian Society of Soil Science. 25: 201-206.
  12. Mongkolsawat, C. P., Thirangoon, P. and Kuptawutinun P. (1997). Land Evaluation for Combining Economic Crops Using GIS and Remotely Sensed Data.
  13. Ngede, T. C., Mohamed, A., Didi, C. and Oyekola, P. (2020). A Geological Assessment of Natural Resources in Umueje and Environs. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(7): 10377-10386.
  14. NOAA/NCEP. (2021). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Centres for Environmental Prediction. Under the National Weather Service, United States of America. Downloaded April 29, 2022.
  15. Ogunkunle, A. O. (1993). Soil in Land Suitability Evaluation: An Example with Oil Palm in Nigeria. Soil Use and Management, 9(1): 35-40.
  16. Ojeniyi, S. O. (2002). Soil Management, Natural Resources and Environment. Adediran Press. 30pp.
  17. Sasseville, D. N. (2013). Better Performance, Better Quality and Better Productivity. Gannigan Jefferson City, MO. Athens, GA, USA 573- 690-2150. Lecture Delivered at the 37th Conference of SSSN, Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nigeria.
  18. Sys, C. V. Ranst and J. Debaveye (1991). Land Evaluation. Part II: Methods in land evaluation. State University. General Administration for Development Co-operation, Brussels. 273pp.
  19. Sys, C., Van Ranst, E. & Debaveye, J. (1993). Land Evaluation. Part 3: Crop Requirements; Agricultural Publication No. 7; General Administration of Development Cooperation: Belgium, Brussels. Pp 199.
  20. Udo, E. J., Ibia, T. O., Ogunwale, J. A., Ano, A.O. and Esu, I.E. (2009). Manual of Soil, Plant and Water Analysis. Lagos, Nigeria: Sibon Books Ltd. Pp 183.
  21. Udoh, B.T., Esu, I.E., Ibia, T.O., Onweremadu, E.U. and Univnavin, S. E. (2013). Agricultural Potentials of the Beach Ridge Soils of the Niger Delta Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Soil Science, 17: 17-39.
  22. UN (2019). United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects 2019: Data Booklet (ST/ESA/SER.A/424).
How to Cite

E.A, A., I, O. E., O, N. W., & I, O. M. (2022). Soil Fertility and Productivity Test Analysis of Selected Soils of Evite Otu, Aguleri, Anambra East Lga, Anambra State. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 32(2), 42-52. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2022.xfj542dq

A. E.A, O. E. I, N. W. O, and O. M. I, "Soil Fertility and Productivity Test Analysis of Selected Soils of Evite Otu, Aguleri, Anambra East Lga, Anambra State," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 42-52, August 2022. doi: 10.67042/njss.2022.xfj542dq

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