Sustainability of Crop Production in Relation to Landscape Position and Soil Properties in Isiama, Abia State
1 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
2 Department of Soil Science and Technology, Federal College of Land Resources and Tecnology, owerri, Imo State
3 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: adesemuyiea@soilsjournalnigeria.com
2 Department of Soil Science and Technology, Federal College of Land Resources and Tecnology, owerri, Imo State
3 Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
* Corresponding author: adesemuyiea@soilsjournalnigeria.com
Abstract
The research was carried out at Isiama in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria to examine the relationship between landscape positions and some selected soil properties. The soil units studied occupied different landscape positions and were identified as the summit (EJ-1), upper (EJ-2), middle (EJ-3) and foot (EJ-4) slope classes, on 3%, 7%, 2.5% and 1% slopes respectively. One representative profile pit was established in each soil unit and described in situ for morphological attributes. Soil samples collected from identified horizons of the pits were analyzed for some physical and chemical properties. The study revealed variability in some of soil quality indicators (organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, exchangeable bases, cation exchange capacity etc,) with different slope positions. The trend of the values of the soil quality indicators followed this order: EJ-2 < EJ-1 < EJ-3
Keywords
Slope positions Landscape Sustainable crop production