Some Physical Properties of Soils Overlying Limestone Parent Material in Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract
The physical properties of nine (9)pedons of soils derived from limestone parent materials in South Eastern Nigeria were investigated. The percentage of total sand generally decreased with increase in profile depth with total sand for the surface horizons of 61% and 47% for the subsurface hori- zons. Silt percentage for the surface horizons range between 7.0 % and 48%, for subsurface 7.0% and 48%. The percentage clay generally increased with increase in profile depth in some pedons and fluctuates in some pedon of these soils. The surface layers were generally sandy loam to sandy clay loam in texture. The bulk density of the top soils ranged between 1.20 and 1.62g/cm3, for sub-soils 1.33 and 1.82g/cm3. Particle densities ranged between 2.42 and 3.10g/cm3 respectively and total porosity for the surface and subsurface ranged between 49.7 and 50% respectively for all the soils. Soils with these physical properties may be suitable for the cultivation of arable and tree crops and dry season farming. The erodibility of the soils can be minimized by the incorporation of crop residues.
Keywords
physical properties
soils
lime-
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How to Cite
E., A. E., & N.R.B., A. (2015). Some Physical Properties of Soils Overlying Limestone Parent Material in Southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 25(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2015.avos1das
A. E. E., and A. N.R.B., "Some Physical Properties of Soils Overlying Limestone Parent Material in Southeastern Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1-7, April 2015. doi: 10.67042/njss.2015.avos1das
