CHARACTERIZATION AND SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF KUBANNI FLOODPLAIN AND ADJOINING UPLAND SOILS FOR MAIZE AND RICE PRODUCTION IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
CHARACTERIZATION AND SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF KUBANNI FLOODPLAIN AND ADJOINING UPLAND SOILS FOR MAIZE AND RICE PRODUCTION IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2015-10
Authors
JIMOH, Ibrahim Abdulwahab
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Abstract
The study was carried out in Zaria, 11006ʹ50"- 11007ʹ25" N and 7040ʹ22" - 7040ʹ58"E in the lower Kubanni drainage basin, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study aim to characterize and evaluate suitability of soils around River Kubanni for maize and rice production. The soils were classified using USDA Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff, 2010) correlated with FAO World Reference Base for Soil Resource (FAO, 2014). In evaluating land suitability for maize and rice production (qualitatively), land properties were compared with corresponding plant requirements, while for quantitative land suitability evaluation; parametric method (Storie, 1978; 2008) was used. The land suitability classes were arrived at based on the FAO guidelines for land evaluation (FAO, 1985). The morphological and physico-chemical properties of thirty four (34) soil samples were sampled from identified genetic horizons of the ten (10) pedons studied in five (5) soil mapping units denoted as KBI, KBII, KBIII, KBIV and KBV representing the study area. KBI, KBII and KBIII represent the upland while KBIV and KBV represent the flood plain soils. Upland soils were shallow to deep, while flood plain soils were deep to very deep. Soil depth increased down the slope. The soils were predominantly medium texture with sub-angular blocky on the upland, while structureless dominate the floodplain soils. The upland soils were well drained to imperfectly drain, while the floodplains were very poorly drained. Soil colour varied from dark yellowish brown to dark gray brown. Horizon differentiation between Ap horizon and the lower B horizon were clear. The bulk density was moderate and generally increased down the profile with an irregular pattern; total porosity decreased with depth. Soil reaction was slightly acidic to neutral, exchangeable bases were medium to high, indicating moderate basic nutrient status of the soils and occurred in the order Ca2+> Na+>
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Mg2+> K+. Base saturation was rated medium to high in the soils. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus of the soils were generally low. Extractable micronutrient content was rated high and occurred in the order: Fe >Mn> Zn > Cu > B in the soils, and decreased down the profile. Electrical conductivity and total soluble salt was also rated low, thus the soils were classified as non-saline while part of the flood plain soils (mapping unit KBIV) with exchangeable sodium percentage of >15 was classified as sodic soils. Generally, there was no significant difference in physical and chemical properties of upland and flood plain. KBI and KBIII were classified as Typic Plinthustalfs / Eutric Lixisols, KBII were classified as Torrertic dystrustepts / Terric cambisols on the upland, while soil mapping unit KBIV and KBV on the flood plain were classified as Fluvaquentic Epiaquepts / Endoeutric Fluvisols. Soils of the upland and flood plain were classified as currently not suitable (N) based on the qualitative land suitability evaluation for maize and rice production respectively mainly due to limitation imposed by chemical properties. Based on the quantitative land suitability evaluation (storie method), KBI was highly suitable (S1), KBIII, KBIV and KBV were moderately suitable (S2) while KBII was marginally (S3) suitable. The result of socio-economic characteristics of the farmers shows that the land was marginally suitable as results of low outputs recorded by 93% of the farmers while 7% who used adequate fertilizer recorded high output. Soil condition would however be improved for sustainable crop production by incorporation of crop residue and farmyard manure to enhance soils nutrient availability and land preparation such as reduced tillage and contour ridging as well as application of recommended rate of fertilizer for each crop.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE (M.Sc.) IN GEOGRAPHY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
CHARACTERIZATION,, SUITABILITY EVALUATION,, KUBANNI FLOODPLAIN,, ADJOINING UPLAND SOILS,, MAIZE,, RICE PRODUCTION,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA,