Research Article

Soil Suitability Evaluation for Maize in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria

Magaji M. J1*, Samndi M. A.2, Ado A A3, Buji I. B.4, Abubakar M. A.5
1 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
2 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture Bayero University Kano
3 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria,
4 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri
5 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi
* Corresponding author: mjmagaji.ssc@buk.edu.ng
Published: Apr, 2022
DOI: 10.67042/njss.2022.aiet2dka
Pages: 25-29
Views: 540
Downloads: 682
Cited by: 1

Abstract

The soils of Lere (Saminaka) in Kaduna state, Northern Guinea Savanna climatic zone were evaluated for suitability of maize (Zea mays) cultivation, employing various methods. Data were obtained through field study and laboratory analyses. Three soil Units were delineated, and one profile was sunk in each of the soil units. The profiles were described according to the USDA soil survey manual, and soil samples were collected from each pedogenetic horizon and stored in a nylon bag properly levelled. The soil samples were processed and analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The soil Units were designated as SM1, SM2, and SM3. The textural class of the surface soils are sandy loam to loam. The result shows that soils pH is strongly to moderately acidic (5.5 – 5.8), soil fertility was generally low with evidence of low organic carbon (0.59 – 0.66%), total nitrogen (0.35 – 0.70%) and CEC (4.1 – 5.3 cmolkg-1 ), while potassium (0.12 – 0.31 cmolkg-1 ) and phosphorus (12.6 – 25.3 mg kg-1 ). The results also showed that climate, topography (slope), soil depth, texture and fertility are optimum for maize production, with drainage and base saturation as the major limiting factors, with the aggregate of not-suitable (Nfw) in all the soil units based simple limitation method. By employing other methods (Storie and Khiddir square root), the same results were obtained, with little improvement in the Square root method (Rabiah) as the classes change from N or N1 to S3. Incorporating soils with organic materials and encouraging subsurface drainage will improve maize production.

Keywords

Land Evaluation Suitability Evaluation Parametric Non-Parametric

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Cited By (1)

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  1. Characterization, Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Soils on Three Geological Formations in Nsukka Area of Enugu State for Pepper Production . Nigerian Journal of Soil Science (2022) . https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2022.j8xtup2a
How to Cite

J, M. M., A., S. M., A, A. A., B., B. I., & A., A. M. (2022). Soil Suitability Evaluation for Maize in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 32(1), 25-29. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2022.aiet2dka

M. M. J, S. M. A., A. A. A, B. I. B., and A. M. A., "Soil Suitability Evaluation for Maize in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 25-29, April 2022. doi: 10.67042/njss.2022.aiet2dka

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