Volume 25

Volume 25 (2015)

Published in 2015

Issues in this Volume

Issue 1 (April)

Articles in this Volume

17 articles
1
Research Article

Yield Decline Trends of Eroded Ultisols in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria: Maize Response to Artificial Erosion

Nnenna Nnannaya Oti*

The artificial incremental removal of surface soil to varying depths to simulate erosion followed by subsequent evaluation of crop growth and performance under uniform management is a common agronomic technique to study erosion/soil productivity relationships. However, because its results tend to exaggerate yield decline rates it is being replaced by the more complex erosion phase approach. This p...

Apr, 2015 pp. 20-30
2
Research Article

Impact of Open Cast Mine Land Use on Soil Physical Properties in Enyigba, Southeastern Nigeraand the Implication for Sustainable Land Use Management

Okolo, C.C.*, Akamigbo, F.O.R., , Ezeaku, P.I., Nwite, J.N, Nwite, J.C, Ezeudo, V. C, Ene, J., Ukaegbu, E. P, Udegbunam, O.N., Eze, N. C

The study examined the extent of soil physical properties deterioration due to mining activities in Enyiba Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria. In the study, two factors were considered: factor A - Soil depths (surface soil: 0-15 cm and subsurface soil: 15-30 cm) and factor B - Distances from mine pits (100 m, 200 m, 300 m, 400 m and 500 m away from mine pit). Four mining sites (Mbaraeke Enyigba, M...

Apr, 2015 pp. 95-101
3
Research Article

Morphological, Physicochemicaland Mineralogical Properties of Soils Developed from Basalt Atikom, Cross River State, Nigeria

I. E. Esu*, U. Uko, E. E. Aki

Soils developed from basalt were studied along with a top sequence of a deeply excavated basaltic quarry site at Ikom, Cross River State, Nigeria. The soils were very deep and occupy gently sloping plains of 0 – 8% gradients. Each pedon examined, had four distinct layers, the Ap, BA, Bt and Crtg horizons. The Ap horizons have dark reddish grey (5YR 4/2) to dark reddish-brown (5YR 3/4) colours whil...

Apr, 2015 pp. 173-185
4
Research Article

Characterization, Classification and Land Suitability Evaluation of Soils Derived from Diverse Parent Materials in Central Cross River State of Nigeria for Arable Cropping

Nsor M.E.*, Akamigbo, F.O.R.

The Physico-chemical characterization of soils derived from five parent materials in the humid tropics of South Southern Nigeria was studied. Soil properties such as texture, drainage, effective soil depth, nutrients status and reserves were employed for site suitability evaluation for arable cropping (cassava, maize and groundnut). Suitability classifications were arrived at by ‘matching’ the lan...

Apr, 2015 pp. 158-172
5
Research Article

Combined Application of Ureaand Sawdust Ash in Okra Production Effects on Yield and Nutrients Availability

Temitope Okusami A*

Trials were conducted at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education Teaching and Research Farm Lanlate, southwest Nigeria in 2012 and 2013 to investigate the effects of combined applications of sawdust ash (SDA)and urea (U) as fertilizer in okra production. There were five treatments and control, replicated three times in randomised complete block design. Treatments were a control, urea at 240 kg/ ha,...

Apr, 2015 pp. 148-157
6
Research Article

Suitability Assessment of Soils Supporting Oil Palm Plantations in the Coastal Plains Sand, Imo State, Nigeria

Ukaegbu E.P.*, Osuaku, S.K., Okolo, C.C.

Due to the declining yield of Oil palm, soils of the coastal plains sand of Imo State supporting oil palms were evaluated. A bulked sample was taken from each of the ten sites studied, at 0 – 20cm and 20 – 40cm depths and analysed in the Laboratory. Soils textures were dominated by sandy loam at the surface, but sandy clay loam at the subsurface. Ranges of values of parameters at the topsoil were:...

Apr, 2015 pp. 125-134
7
Research Article

Effects of Variation in N:k Ratio in Soils on the Growth, Nutrient Availability and Yield of Maize (zea Mays L. )

A. O. BAKARE*, I. O. OSEMWOTA

This study was undertaken in two distinct ecological zones of Edo state of Nigeria to determine the effects of variation in the N: K ratio in soils on the availability of N, K and on the growth and yield of maize. The two sites used were Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) Iyanomo (forest) and the Teaching and Research Farm of Ambrose Alli University, Emaudo, Ekpoma (derived savanna). RRIN...

Apr, 2015 pp. 116-124
8
Research Article

Soil Boron and Bio - Accumulation in Raphia Palm

Aghimien A.E.*

Total and available Boron were determined in surface soils from 56 locations on 5 different parent materials in Southern Nigeria. Boron concentrations in leaves of Raphia palms growing in the were also determined. Total, available and plant Boron ranged from 16.0 to 87.0; 0.08 to 2.31; 3.0 to 25.0mg/kg respectively in crystalline metamorphic and igneous rock soils; 22.3 to 69.4; 0.01 to 1.20; 6.0 ...

Apr, 2015 pp. 102-107
9
Research Article

Changes in a Tropical Ultisol Under Different Management Systems in Southeastern Nigeria: 1. Soil Physical and Hydrological Properties

Omenihu A. A.*, Opara-Nadi O.A

Five soil management practices were compared to evaluate their effects on soil physical and hydrological properties in a cassava/maize intercrop. The management practices compared over four years (2003 – 2006) at Umudike in the rainforest zone of southeastern Nigeria were fallow-grazing-cropping (FGC), traditional farming (TF), no-tillage (NT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). T...

Apr, 2015 pp. 70-79
10
Research Article

Some Physical Properties of Soils Overlying Limestone Parent Material in Southeastern Nigeria

Aki, E. E.*, Antigha, N.R.B.

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%....

Apr, 2015 pp. 1-7
11
Research Article

Impact of Composted Oil Palm Wastes on Soil Physical Properties, Organic Matter Content and Growth of Oil Palm Seedlings Under Different Moisture Regimes

Ovie S.*, Anisiobi, G.E., Okolo, C.C., Udegbunam, O.N., Okenmuo, F.C.

A greenhouse study was conducted at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to evaluate the effect of composted oil palm bunch waste for improvement of some soil physical properties, organic matter status and growth of oil palm seedlings under different water management conditions. The experiment was a 4 x 3 factorial fitted into the completely randomized design with three replications. It consisted of...

Apr, 2015 pp. 80-94
12
Research Article

Profile Distribution of Crystalline and Amorphous Sesquioxides in Talc Overburden Soils of Southern Guinea Savanna Ecology in Nigeria

AJIBOYE G. A.*, Ogunwale J. A., Aduloju M. O.

The stage of development of soils developed over talc overburden in two locations (Ejiba and Odo- Ogbe) within the Southern Guinea Savanna Agro-ecology of Kogi State, Nigeria, were evaluated using the dithionite and oxalate extractable Fe, Al oxides and the ratios of silt: clay and silt: silt +clay of the soils. Soil samples collected from the pedogenic horizons of nine profile pits dug in the two...

Apr, 2015 pp. 58-69
13
Research Article

Fertility Baseline Study of Major Cocoa Growing Soils of Nigeriaand Implication for Cocoa Production in Nigeria

AJIBOYE G. A.*, Jaiyeoba, J. O., Olaiya, A. O., Hammed L. A.

"Field and laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the fertility status of the soils of three major cocoa-producing States in Nigeria. A Survey of the selected Local Government Areas was carried out and soil samples were collected at 0-30 and 31-60 cm depths. The Physico-chemical properties of the soils were assessed in relation to cocoa nutritional requirements using standard methods while ...

Apr, 2015 pp. 45-57
14
Research Article

Yield Decline of Major Crops Induced by Erosion on the Ultisols of Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria: Maize Response to Natural Erosion

Nnenna Nnannaya Oti*

Few studies have been made to quantify the yield decline trends of major stable crops induced by erosion (natural and artificial) on the ultisols of Southeastern Nigeria, it is known that erosion’s impact on soil productivity is crop, environment and soil specific. This paper reports an aspect of a larger body of research work conducted between 1996 and 2002 to document erosion – in- duced product...

Apr, 2015 pp. 8-19
15
Research Article

Phosphorus Sorption by Some Hydromorphic Soils of Southern Nigeria

Aghimien A.E.*, Ilori E.G., Ehigiator J.O.

A laboratory experiment was conducted on fifty-eight (58) surface soils from five different soil parent materials in Southern Nigeria. Samples were equilibrated with different P concentrations ranging from 0 - 150 mg/L prior to evaluation sorption potentials. The Phosphorus Sorption Index (PSI) of the soils ranged from 4.80 to 64.90. The PSI values correlated significantly with some of the soil pa...

Apr, 2015 pp. 108-115
16
Research Article

Heavy Metal Status in Soils and Amaranthus Cruentus from Farmland on the Bank of Orogodo River, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria.

Orhue, Ehi Robert*, Edosa, Ifeyinwa Valerie1, Iyagbaye, Louis2

This study investigated the status of heavy metals in the soil and Amaranthus cruentus on the farmland at bank of Orogodo River at Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. Soil and plant samples were collected at an area of 8000 m 2 . The soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm while the plant samples were also sampled along with the sampling of the soil in December 2013. Both...

Apr, 2015 pp. 38-44
17
Research Article

Phosphorus Status in Some Soils of Mid - Western Agro - Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Orhue, Ehi Robert*, John Kingsley

The trial was carried out to determine the status of various forms of P in soils formed on 3 types of parent materials in Southern Nigeria. Soil samples were obtained from3 ha area in each of the locations at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depth and then subjected to routine physical and chemical analysis. Results revealed that the sand component of the soils which ranged from 771 gkg-1 to 892 gkg-1 decreas...

Apr, 2015 pp. 31-37
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