Characterization, Classification and Agricultural Potentials of Soils on a Toposequence in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
This work assessed some properties of three pedons on a toposequence in Ijah-Gbagyi district in Niger State, Nigeria. The pedons were designated as JG1, JG2 and JG3 representing the upper, middle and lower slopes respectively. The surface soil was characterized by dark yellowish brown (10YR3/4) color at the JG1 and JG2 and very dark grayish brown (10YR3/2) color at JG3. Sand dominated the mineral fraction and its content in the surface horizon decreased down the slope, whereas silt content increased down the slope due to sorting by geological and pedogenic processes. Although organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (P) were rated high, TN and available P decreased down the slope. High cation exchange capacity (CEC) was an indication that the soils have high potential for plant nutrients retention. The pedons were classified as Typic Haplustepts/ Haplic Cambisols (Eutric), Plinthic Petraquepts/ Petric Plinthosols (Abruptic) and Typic Endoaquepts/ Endogleyic Cambisols (Endoclayic).
[1] Buol, S.W., R.J. Southard, R.C. Graham, and P.A. McDaniel. Soil
Genesis and Classification. 5th edition. Iowa State Press. A Blackwell
Publishing Company, 2003, pp. 3-34.
[2] P.I. Ezeaku. Methodologies for Agricultural land-use planning.
Sustainable soil management and productivity. Great AP Express
Publishers Ltd, Nsukka, 2011, pp. 1–4.
[3] C.L.A. Asadu, G.U. Nnaji and P.I. Ezeaku. Conceptual issues in
pedology. University of Nigerian Press Limited, University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, Nigeria, 2012, pp. 34-57.
[4] D.P. Kalivas, D.P. Triantakonstantis and V.J. Kollias. “Spatial prediction
of two soil properties using topographic information”. Global Nest: the
Int. J., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 41-49, 2002.
[5] I.E. Esu, A.U. Akpan-Idiok and M.O. Eyong. Characterization and
Classification of soils along a typical Hillslope in Afikpo Area of Ebonyi
State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environment, vol. 8, pp. 1-6,
2008.
[6] P.I. Ogban, O. Babalola and A.M Okoji. “Profile Characteristics of a
typical toposequence in Southern Nigeria”. Africa Soils, vol. 28, pp.
147–165, 1999.
[7] V.E. Osodeke I.L. Nwotiti and B.O. Nuga. “Sesquioxides distribution
along a toposequence in Umudike area of south eastern Nigeria”.
Electronic J. of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 4,
no. 61, pp. 117-1124, 2005.
[8] V. E. Osodeke and N.E. Osondu. “Phosphorus distribution along a
toposequence of a coastal sand parent material in southeastern Nigeria”.
Agricultural J., vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 167-171, 2006.
[9] Y.D. Yaro, T. Kparmwang, B.A. Raji and V.O. Chude. “The extent and
properties of plinthite in a landscape at Zaria, Nigeria”. International J.
of Soil Sci., vol. 1, no. 3, pp.171-183, 2006.
[10] A.G. Ojanuga. Agroecological Zones of Nigeria Manual. FAO/NSPFS,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria,
2006, pp. 32-37.
[11] FAO. Guidelines for Soil Description. Fourth edition. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006, pp. 1-85.
[12] Munsell Soil Color. Munsell Soil Colour Chart. 2009 revised edition.
Macbeth Division of Kollmorgen Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland,
USA, 2009.
[13] ISRIC/FAO. Procedures for Soil Analysis. Sixth edition. L.P. van
Reeuwijk (ed). International Soil Reference and Information
Centre/Food and Agricultural Organization, 2002, pp. 3-1 – 11-4.
[14] I.E. Esu. Detailed soil survey of NIHORT Farm at Bunkure, Kano State,
Nigeria. Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria. 1991, pp. 1-72.
[15] V.O. Chude, S.O. Olayiwola, A.O. Osho and C.K. Daudu. Fertilizer Use
and Management Practices for Crops in Nigeria. Fourth edition. Federal
Fertilizer Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Abuja, Nigeria, 2011, pp. 1-59.
[16] Soil Survey Staff, Keys to Soil Taxonomy: 11th Edition, United States
Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service,
USA, 2010, pp. 161-195.
[17] I.E. Esu. Soil characterization, classification and survey. HEBN
Publishers, Plc, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2010, pp. 73-99.
[18] M. Alhassan, E. Mesaiyete and A.M. Mustapha.. Clay mineralogy of
lateritic soils derived from granite basement-a case study of Minna
lateritic soils. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 17, pp. 1897-
1903, 2012.
[19] J.R. Wilson, “Minerals and rocks”. J. Richard Wilson and Ventus
Publishing Aps. An e-Book available online at www.bookboon.com
(Accessed 6th October 2012), 2010, pp. 14–20.
[20] W.B. Malgwi, A.G. Ojanuga, V.O. Chude, T. Kparmwang and B.A.
Raji, “Morphological and Physical Properties of Some Soil at Samaru,
Zaria, Nigeria”. Nigerian Journal of Soil Research, vol. 1, pp. 58–64,
2000.
[21] G.E. Akinbola, H.I. Anozie and J.C. Obi, “Classification and
characterization of some pedons on basement complex in the forest
environment of south-western Nigeria”. Nigerian J. of Soil Sci, vol. 19,
no. 1, pp. 109-117, 2009.
[22] T.Y. Ashaye, “Sesquioxides status and particle size distribution in
twelve Nigeria soils derived from sandstones”, African soils, vol. 4, pp.
85-96, 1969.
[23] G.K. Asomoa, “Particle-size free iron oxide distribution in some latosols
and groundwater laterites of Ghana”, Georderma, vol. 10, pp. 285-297,
1973.
[24] N.C. Brady and R. Weil, Elements of the nature and properties of soils.
3rd edition. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,
2010, pp. 74-89.
[25] D.J. Greenland, A. Wild and D. Adams, “Organic matter dynamics in
soils of the tropics – from myth to reality”. In: Lal R. and Sanchez P.A.
(eds.), Myths and Science of Soils in the Tropics. Soil Science Society of
America, Madison, 1992, pp. 17–39.
[26] K.M. Donstova and L.D. Norton, “Effect of exchangeable Ca:Mg ratio
in soil clay flocculation, infiltration and erosion”. In: Sustaining the
Global Farm. Stott, D.E., Mohtar, R.H. and Steintardt, G.C. (eds.).
Selected papers from 10th International Soil Conservation Organization
Meeting held May 24 – 29, 1999 at Purdue University and USDA-ARS
National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, 2001, pp. 580 – 585.
[27] A. Garcia-Ocampo, “Physical Properties of Magnesium Affected Soils in
Colombia”. Lecture given at the College on Soil Physics Trieste,
LNS0418016, 3-21 March, 2003, 6pp.
[28] S.O. Atofarati, B.S. Ewulo and S.O. Ojeniyi, “Characterization and
classification of soils on two toposequence at Ile-Oluji, Ondo State,
Nigeria”, International J. of AgriScience, vol. 2, no. 7, pp. 642-650.
[1] Buol, S.W., R.J. Southard, R.C. Graham, and P.A. McDaniel. Soil
Genesis and Classification. 5th edition. Iowa State Press. A Blackwell
Publishing Company, 2003, pp. 3-34.
[2] P.I. Ezeaku. Methodologies for Agricultural land-use planning.
Sustainable soil management and productivity. Great AP Express
Publishers Ltd, Nsukka, 2011, pp. 1–4.
[3] C.L.A. Asadu, G.U. Nnaji and P.I. Ezeaku. Conceptual issues in
pedology. University of Nigerian Press Limited, University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, Nigeria, 2012, pp. 34-57.
[4] D.P. Kalivas, D.P. Triantakonstantis and V.J. Kollias. “Spatial prediction
of two soil properties using topographic information”. Global Nest: the
Int. J., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 41-49, 2002.
[5] I.E. Esu, A.U. Akpan-Idiok and M.O. Eyong. Characterization and
Classification of soils along a typical Hillslope in Afikpo Area of Ebonyi
State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environment, vol. 8, pp. 1-6,
2008.
[6] P.I. Ogban, O. Babalola and A.M Okoji. “Profile Characteristics of a
typical toposequence in Southern Nigeria”. Africa Soils, vol. 28, pp.
147–165, 1999.
[7] V.E. Osodeke I.L. Nwotiti and B.O. Nuga. “Sesquioxides distribution
along a toposequence in Umudike area of south eastern Nigeria”.
Electronic J. of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 4,
no. 61, pp. 117-1124, 2005.
[8] V. E. Osodeke and N.E. Osondu. “Phosphorus distribution along a
toposequence of a coastal sand parent material in southeastern Nigeria”.
Agricultural J., vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 167-171, 2006.
[9] Y.D. Yaro, T. Kparmwang, B.A. Raji and V.O. Chude. “The extent and
properties of plinthite in a landscape at Zaria, Nigeria”. International J.
of Soil Sci., vol. 1, no. 3, pp.171-183, 2006.
[10] A.G. Ojanuga. Agroecological Zones of Nigeria Manual. FAO/NSPFS,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria,
2006, pp. 32-37.
[11] FAO. Guidelines for Soil Description. Fourth edition. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006, pp. 1-85.
[12] Munsell Soil Color. Munsell Soil Colour Chart. 2009 revised edition.
Macbeth Division of Kollmorgen Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland,
USA, 2009.
[13] ISRIC/FAO. Procedures for Soil Analysis. Sixth edition. L.P. van
Reeuwijk (ed). International Soil Reference and Information
Centre/Food and Agricultural Organization, 2002, pp. 3-1 – 11-4.
[14] I.E. Esu. Detailed soil survey of NIHORT Farm at Bunkure, Kano State,
Nigeria. Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria. 1991, pp. 1-72.
[15] V.O. Chude, S.O. Olayiwola, A.O. Osho and C.K. Daudu. Fertilizer Use
and Management Practices for Crops in Nigeria. Fourth edition. Federal
Fertilizer Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Abuja, Nigeria, 2011, pp. 1-59.
[16] Soil Survey Staff, Keys to Soil Taxonomy: 11th Edition, United States
Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service,
USA, 2010, pp. 161-195.
[17] I.E. Esu. Soil characterization, classification and survey. HEBN
Publishers, Plc, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2010, pp. 73-99.
[18] M. Alhassan, E. Mesaiyete and A.M. Mustapha.. Clay mineralogy of
lateritic soils derived from granite basement-a case study of Minna
lateritic soils. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 17, pp. 1897-
1903, 2012.
[19] J.R. Wilson, “Minerals and rocks”. J. Richard Wilson and Ventus
Publishing Aps. An e-Book available online at www.bookboon.com
(Accessed 6th October 2012), 2010, pp. 14–20.
[20] W.B. Malgwi, A.G. Ojanuga, V.O. Chude, T. Kparmwang and B.A.
Raji, “Morphological and Physical Properties of Some Soil at Samaru,
Zaria, Nigeria”. Nigerian Journal of Soil Research, vol. 1, pp. 58–64,
2000.
[21] G.E. Akinbola, H.I. Anozie and J.C. Obi, “Classification and
characterization of some pedons on basement complex in the forest
environment of south-western Nigeria”. Nigerian J. of Soil Sci, vol. 19,
no. 1, pp. 109-117, 2009.
[22] T.Y. Ashaye, “Sesquioxides status and particle size distribution in
twelve Nigeria soils derived from sandstones”, African soils, vol. 4, pp.
85-96, 1969.
[23] G.K. Asomoa, “Particle-size free iron oxide distribution in some latosols
and groundwater laterites of Ghana”, Georderma, vol. 10, pp. 285-297,
1973.
[24] N.C. Brady and R. Weil, Elements of the nature and properties of soils.
3rd edition. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,
2010, pp. 74-89.
[25] D.J. Greenland, A. Wild and D. Adams, “Organic matter dynamics in
soils of the tropics – from myth to reality”. In: Lal R. and Sanchez P.A.
(eds.), Myths and Science of Soils in the Tropics. Soil Science Society of
America, Madison, 1992, pp. 17–39.
[26] K.M. Donstova and L.D. Norton, “Effect of exchangeable Ca:Mg ratio
in soil clay flocculation, infiltration and erosion”. In: Sustaining the
Global Farm. Stott, D.E., Mohtar, R.H. and Steintardt, G.C. (eds.).
Selected papers from 10th International Soil Conservation Organization
Meeting held May 24 – 29, 1999 at Purdue University and USDA-ARS
National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, 2001, pp. 580 – 585.
[27] A. Garcia-Ocampo, “Physical Properties of Magnesium Affected Soils in
Colombia”. Lecture given at the College on Soil Physics Trieste,
LNS0418016, 3-21 March, 2003, 6pp.
[28] S.O. Atofarati, B.S. Ewulo and S.O. Ojeniyi, “Characterization and
classification of soils on two toposequence at Ile-Oluji, Ondo State,
Nigeria”, International J. of AgriScience, vol. 2, no. 7, pp. 642-650.
@article{"International Journal of Biological, Life and Agricultural Sciences:65223", author = "B. A. Lawal and A. G. Ojanuga and P. A. Tsado and A. Mohammed", title = "Characterization, Classification and Agricultural Potentials of Soils on a Toposequence in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria", abstract = "This work assessed some properties of three pedons on a toposequence in Ijah-Gbagyi district in Niger State, Nigeria. The pedons were designated as JG1, JG2 and JG3 representing the upper, middle and lower slopes respectively. The surface soil was characterized by dark yellowish brown (10YR3/4) color at the JG1 and JG2 and very dark grayish brown (10YR3/2) color at JG3. Sand dominated the mineral fraction and its content in the surface horizon decreased down the slope, whereas silt content increased down the slope due to sorting by geological and pedogenic processes. Although organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (P) were rated high, TN and available P decreased down the slope. High cation exchange capacity (CEC) was an indication that the soils have high potential for plant nutrients retention. The pedons were classified as Typic Haplustepts/ Haplic Cambisols (Eutric), Plinthic Petraquepts/ Petric Plinthosols (Abruptic) and Typic Endoaquepts/ Endogleyic Cambisols (Endoclayic).
", keywords = "Ecological region, landscape positions, soil characterization, soil classification.", volume = "7", number = "5", pages = "330-5", }
