Profile characteristics and agricultural potential of soils under different land use types in Umuahia area of South east, Nigeria
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The study was carried out at Mbom, Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria, to assess the potentials of soils under different land use types (continuously cultivated land, forest land, fallow land and oil palm plantation) for sustainable crop production. Modal profile pits were established in the identified land use types and morphological attributes described. Soil samples taken from genetic horizons of the soil profile pits were analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Geo-spatial technique was used to estimate the spatial distribution of the soil fertility constraints. The findings revealed variability in soil properties. Soil drainage ranged between poorly drained and well drained conditions. Texture showed sandy loam overlying sandy clay loam. Soils were strongly - moderately acid (4.19 - 6.12) with organic carbon in the surface relatively low to high (10.50 - 22.60 gkg-1). Available phosphorus was moderate (7.11-17.81 mgkg-1). There were generally low exchangeable bases and cations exchange capacity values ranging from 3.28 - 5.19 cmolkg-1. Assessment of the soils’ potentials with respect to fertility capability classification (FCC) placed the soils into three FCC units: LCeghk, Lek and Lehkm covering 19.23, 43.63 and 37.14 % of the study area respectively. The findings identified problems and potentials of the soils and recommends the FCC units spatial maps generated as an advisory tool to farmers and soil scientists to make informed decisions on the appropriate fertility management for sustainable use of the soil.
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