Soil Assessment of Selected Floodplain Soil in Nigeria to Support Agriculture Advancement

Abstract

A series of soils of the Mayo-gwoi flood plain in Jalingo Nigeria were classified and characterized to develop a baseline for soil improvement and increase agricultural productivity. Seven pedons were dug in the area marked Soil units 1, 2 and 3 and were examined with regards to their morphology, physical and chemical properties. The soils were formed over basement complex rocks and alluvial deposits, having shallow to deep pedons, they had high sand fraction and clay content which increased irregularly with depth. The dominant hues were 10YR at the surface and 2.5Y at the subsurface indicating poor drainage. Soil texture varied from sandy clay loam to clay. The pH was slightly acidic to alkaline (6.6 – 7.7), organic carbon was low (mean: 0.2%). The N content was low to moderate with mean value of 0.02%. Available phosphorus content were generally low to moderate in all pedons studied having mean value of 8.8 mg/Kg. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was generally moderate in all the pedons (mean: 8.31 cmol/kg). This result showed that the soils had low inherent fertility. The soils were classified as Typic Ustifluvents/Hydragric Fluvisols, Typic Ustifluvents/Hydragric Fluvisols, Plinthic Paleustalfs/Nitic Arenosols, Typic Ustipsamments/Hydragic Arenosols, Typic Ustipsamments/ Hydragic Arenosols, Aquertic Haplustalfs/Haplic Lixisols, Aquic Haplustalfs/Haplic Vertisols according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy and WRB for pedons P1 to P2 respectively. These poorly-drained and low fertility soils require (i) a soil fertilization program and (ii) the development of agronomic guidelines for creating farm profitability.