Research Article

Soil Mapping, Classification and Morphological Characteristics of the University of Benin Land

Okunsebor F. E1*, Umweni A. S.1
1 Department of Soil Science and Land Management, University of Benin, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: faith.okunsebor@uniben.edu
Published: Aug, 2021
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2021.jif1316d
Pages: 32-40
Views: 532
Downloads: 1,014

Abstract

This study was conducted to map, and classify the soils of University of Benin Teaching, Research and Integrated Farm site. Rigid grid soil survey method at an intensive scale was done on a 62-hectare land that produced seven mapping units. In each mapping unit, a representative pedon was sunk, described and sampled. Soil samples were analyzed using standard methods. Data generated were ana- lyzed using descriptive statistics to determine their coefficient of variation. The result indicated that the soils were reddish when moist at different contrasting levels. Textural classes ranged from Loamy sand to Sandy Clay Loam while structure ranged from Single grain crumb to Sub-angular blocky. The pedons were well drained except for pedon 5, which had mottles at subsurface horizon. Means of Sand fraction ranged from ≤649 to ≥ 931 gkg-1, Silt ranged from ≤13.2 to ≥ 47.7gkg-1 while Clay ranged from≤ 50 to ≥ 303 gkg-1 in all the pedons, clay fraction increased with increase in depth, forming argillic horizon in pedons 1,2 and 7. pH had means ranging from ≤4.23 to ≥5.28 and recorded low variation (≤ 3.6 to ≥ 13.0 %) in all the pedons. organic carbon had means ranging from ≤ 3.3 to ≥ 36.4 gkg-1, CEC ranged from ≤ 4.85 to ≥ 16.4 cmolkg-1 while Base satura- tion ranged from ≤16.6 to ≥ 51%. Hence pedons 1, 2 and 7 were placed in the order Ultisols ( Acrisols), pedons 3and 4 in Entisols ( Arenosols) Pedon 4, Pe- dons 5and 6 in Inceptisols (Cambisols) according to USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated with WRB.

Keywords

Benin Morphological characteristics Pedon Soil Classification Soil Mapping

References

  1. Anderson, F. and Ingram, I. (1993). Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility. A hand book of methods, 2nd edition. CAP International. 221pp.
  2. Brady N. C. And Weil R. P. (2017). The Nature and Properties of Soils. 15th Edition. Prentice Hall, Inco. Publishers, New Jersey, USA. 881pp.
  3. Bremner, J.M (1996). Nitrogen-Total. In: Sparks, D.L.(ed). Methods of soil analysis. Part 5, Chemical Method. 2nd Edition, SSSA Book Series No 5, SSSA, Madison, W1 1085-1125.
  4. Buringh, P., Steur, G.G.L. and Vink, A.P.A. (1962). Some Techniques and Methods of Soil Survey in the Netherlands. Neth. J. Agric. Sc. 10:157-172.
  5. Chude, V.O., Malgwi W.B., Amapu I.Y. and Ano A.O. (2011) Mannual on Soil Fertility Assessment. Federal Fertilizer Department. FAO and National Programme on Food Security, Abuja, Nigeria. Pp 62.
  6. Deckers, J., Nachtergaele, F., and Spaargaren, O. (2003) Tropical soils in the classification systems of USDA, FAO and WRB. In: Evolution of Tropical Soil Science: Past and Future Workshop – Brussels.
  7. Esu I.E., Akpan-Idiok A.U. and Eyong M.O. (2008). Characterization and Classification of Soils along a typical Hillslope in Afikpo Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Journal of Soil and Environment. 8:1-6
  8. Esu, I.E., Akpan-Idiok, A.U., Otigbo, P.I., Aki, E.E. and Ofem, K.I. (2014). Characterization and Classification of Soils in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Soil Science, 9: 22-36.
  9. Esu, I.E. (1991). Detailed Soil Survey of NIHORT Farm at Bunkure, Kano State, Nigeria. Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
  10. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) (2006). Guidelines for soil profile description, 5th edition. AGLS, FAO Rome soils bull.
  11. Gee, G.W. and Or, G (2002). Particle size. In: Dane J.H. and Topp, G.C. (eds). Methods of soil analysis part 4. Physical methods. Soil science society of America Madison, WI, Book series No. 5 ASA ans SSA 225-293.
  12. Hoosebeek M.R., Amudson G.R., Boyant RB (2000). Pedological modeling In: Handbook of Soil Science. Sommer, M.E. (ed) CRC press, Boca Rition. Pp. E77 – E116.
  13. Illoba, B.N. and Ekrakene, T. (2008). “Soil Microarthropods Associated with Mechanic Workshop Soil in Benin City, Nigeria”. Research of Agric and BioSci, 4(1) 40-45.
  14. IUSS Working Group WRB. (2015). World Reference Base for Soil Resources (2014), update 2015 International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps.
  15. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. FAO, Rome.
  16. International Institute for Tropical Agriculture -IITA (1979). Selected Methods for Soil And Plant Analysis. International Institute for Tropical Agriculture. 3rd Edn., Dec., IITA, Ibadan. Pp: 34
  17. Murphy, J. and Riley, J. P. (1962). A Modified Single Solution Method for The Determination of Phosphorus in Natural Water. Anal. Chem. Acta 27: 31-36.
  18. Kang, B. T. and Fox, R. L. (1981). Management of Soils for continuous production and controlling nutrient status. Pp.202-213. In Greenland, D.J. (Ed)
  19. Landon, J.R. (1991). Booker Tropical Soil Manual. Longman Scientific and Technical Essex, UK. pp. 474.
  20. Maclean, E.O. (1982). Aluminium. In C.A. Black (Ed). Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Agronomy 9. American Society of Agronomy. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
  21. Molindo, W.A. and Nwanchokor M.A. (2010). “Assessment of Tillage/Zero Tillage Farming Systems in Ultisols of Benin City, Nigeria”. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences 6(66): 987-992.
  22. NIFOR (2013). Weather Data (Temperature, Rainfall And Relative Humidity): 1993 - 2011. Nigerian Institute for Oilpalm Research Main Station, Benin City, Nigeria.
  23. Ogunkunle, A.O. (1983). Updating the Classification of Acid Sand Soils With Particular Reference to the Soils of NIFOR Main Station. Journal of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research vol.vi: 234-255.
  24. Okunsebor, F.E, (2014). Soil Mapping and Classification of A 62 Hectare Parcel of Land At The University of Benin Teaching, Research And Integrated Farm Site. An M.Sc thesis submitted to the school of postgraduate studies, university of benin, benin city. Pp 125
  25. Olsen, S.R. and Sommers, L.E. (1982). Phosphorus. In: methods of analysis part 2. Page A.L., Miller, R.H., Keeney D.R. (eds). America society of agronomy Madison Winscosin. Pp 15-72.
  26. Rossiter D.G. (2007). Classification of Urban and Industrial Soils in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. J Soils Sediments, DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/jss2007.02.208](http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/jss2007.02.208)
  27. Sharu, M.B., Yakubu, M., Noma, S.S. and Tsafe, A.I. (2013). Characterization and Classification of Soils on an Agricultural landscape in Dingyadi District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science 21(2): 137-147
  28. Soil Survey Staff, (2014). United States Department of Agriculture Keys to Soil Taxonomy. 12th Edition. National Resource Conservation Service, US Dept. of Agric. Washington DC. 353 pp.
  29. Thomas, G.W. (1982). Exchangeable Cation. In Page, A.L. et al (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2, Agron. Monograph, 9. Second edition, Pp.159-165. ASA AND SSSA, Madison, Wisconsin.
  30. Umweni, A.S. (2007): Irrigation Capability Evaluation of Some Sedimentary Soils In Edo State, Nigeria. A thesis submitted to the school of post graduate studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria PP 49.
  31. Wilding, L.P., Bouma, J. and Boss D.W. (1994). Impact of spatial variability on interpretative modeling In: Quantitative modeling of soil forming processes. Byrany, R.B. and Amold R.W. SSSA. Special publication. No. 39:61
How to Cite

E, O. F., & S., U. A. (2021). Soil Mapping, Classification and Morphological Characteristics of the University of Benin Land. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 31(2), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2021.jif1316d

O. F. E, and U. A. S., "Soil Mapping, Classification and Morphological Characteristics of the University of Benin Land," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 32-40, August 2021. doi: 10.67042/njss.2021.jif1316d

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