Suitability Evaluation of Soils of the Coastal Plain Sands for Rain - Fed Maize Production in Acid Sands of South - Eastern Nigeria.

Soils developed on Coastal plain sands have been classified as acidic soils of low CEC and soil fertility. These fragile sandy soils were evaluated for effective and sustainable rain-fed maize production using FAO land suitability classification system. Profile pits were consequently dug in four different soil units – 100m apart: Umuagwo soil unit 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Results indicated that soils had sandy topsoil and more clayey subsoil. Rainfall, temperature, soil depth, drainage and organic carbon contents of the different soil units were favourable for maize production. Available phosphorus and percentage base saturation were rated moderately suitable for maize production. Cation exchange capacity and total nitrogen contents of the soils made the varying soil units marginally suitable for maize production. The overall suitability ratings of the soils indicated that soil units 1, 3 and 4 were not suitable (Nf) for rain-fed maize production because of fertility (pH) limitation. Soil unit 2 was rated marginally suitable (S3f) for maize production with fertility (total nitrogen, pH, CEC) constraint as the major limitation. These fertility limitations can be corrected by adequate liming, nitrogen fertilizer application and other management practices that boost the cation exchange capacity of soil