Physio-morphological Characteristics of Soil of Akure, Ondo State SW, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil physical properties influence soil water infiltration rate, plant rooting depth, amount of available water, air and nutrients which are of utmost importance in agricultural production and, hence there is need to describe in-situ spatial organization and physical properties of soil in Akure. Sixteen profile pits were dug. The soils were characterized and described on the field and samples collected for textural analysis. The area occurs on level plain with little slope gradient, the surface horizons (A1 and A­2) were weak medium crumby to moderate medium crumby structures while the subsurface horizons (Bt1 and Bt2­) showed moderate medium blocky structure. The soils are generally deep and well drained at the top soil with coarse texture; the subsoils are characterized by prominent presence of mottles, which suggest that the subsoils are poorly drained. The distribution of clay content increased with soil depth for all pedons. Most of the Pedons had reddish gray colour (2.5YR 4/1) and dull reddish brown 2.5YR 4/3 at the surface horizons (A1 and A2), over brownish colour (7.5YR 4/4) and dull reddish brown (5YR 4/4) sub soil. The particle size distribution revealed that sand dominated the particle size fraction of the soil in all the profiles, which could be managed with appropriate organic manure.