Variability of Some Soil Properties Along a Toposequence in a Basaltic Parent Material of Vom, Plateau State Nigeria

Topography influences the distribution of some soil physical and chemical properties. This study assessed some variation in soil properties resulting from the topographic effect on Basaltic parent material at Vom Jos Plateau State in the Southern Guinea zone of Nigeria. Soil samples were collected at an interval of 20 m and at depths of 0 to 15cm and 15 to 30 cm, parceled, labeled and taken to the laboratory for analysis of selected soil properties. The results from the study revealed that variations in soil properties along the landscape segments were probably due to their positions on the toposequence in the soil studied. Clay, silt and gravel contents varied moderately (CV = 22.9, 15.42 and 32.55% respectively), while sand did not vary much (CV = 8.47%). Organic carbon showed high variability (CV = 38.08%) while soil pH in (H2O and CaCl2) showed less spatial variability (with CV = 4.91 and 6.45% respectively). Available phosphorus has high variability (CV = 37.59%). Magnesium, K and Ca showed high spatial variability (CV = 42.60, 35.85, and 35.84% respectively), while Na and exchange acidity were moderately variable (CV = 24.39 and 24.27% respectively). Generally, some of the soil chemical properties were varied with topographic positions.