Soil characterization and land suitability evaluation of anuka farmland in nsukka local government area of enugu state, nigeria

Project Abstract

<p> The land at Anuka, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State in Southeastern Nigeria,<br>under the sub-humid tropical climate was evaluated for maize (Zea mays), cassava (Manihot<br>esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivation. Data were<br>obtained by field study and laboratory analyses. Six pedons were dug and described two pedons<br>each for maize and oil palm fields, and one each for yam and cassava fields. These pedons were<br>dug to represent sampling units. Auger samples were also purposefully collected from the<br>sampling units at depths 0 – 20cm and 20 – 40cm. This was to investigate the nutrient spread in<br>the area. Soil samples from the pedogenetic horizons of the pedons were collected after profile<br>description, processed and analyzed. The pedons were designated P01 = cassava field, P02 and<br>P03 = maize fields, P04 = yam field, and P05 and P06 = oil palm fields. The textural classes of<br>the soils included sandy clay loam, sandy loam, sandy clay, loam, clay loam and clay, but the<br>dominant textural class is sandy clay loam. The overall results showed that the soils are acidic;<br>the phosphorus content is generally low; organic matter ranged from 0.42 – 4.31 %, decreasing<br>down the profile depth and is medium (&gt;2.0 %) for epipedons. Exchangeable bases are generally<br>low low exchangeable Ca (1), very low exchangeable Na (Total nitrogen content is moderately low to very low (0.042 % &lt; N &lt; 0.196 %). The soils met the<br>criteria for classification as Typic Dystrustults (P01, P03, P04, P05 and P06) and Aquic<br>Argiustults (P02) (Soil Taxonomy), correlated to Acrisols (FAO/UNESCO). The results showed<br>that although climate and topography are optimum or near optimum, there was no current highly<br>suitable (S1) soil unit for maize, cassava and yam cultivation by both parametric and nonparametric<br>methods of suitability evaluation. However, soil units P01 and P02 showed actual and<br>potential S1 for oil palm production in the study area. None of the sampling units showed high<br>suitability for its current utilization type. The severe constraints to crop cultivation in the area are<br>generally low fertility for all soil units; wetness for soil unit P02 and adverse soil physical<br>characteristic for soil unit P04. Application of organic manure, use of balanced fertilizer and<br>drainage management practices are necessary for maximum productivity of Anuka soils for the<br>evaluated crops. <br></p>

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