Abstract. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) (K + , Mg 2+ , Na + , Ca 2+ ) and anion exchange capacity (AEC) [S 2-and P 2 O 5 (oxide)] of the topsoils and subsoils of Urhuoka and Urhuovie were determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry respectively. In the subsoils of Urhuoka, the concentration of cations (1097 ± 1.01 mg/kg) was slightly more enriched than the topsoils (1047 ± 0.96 mg/kg). However, this trend was reversed in Urhuovie where 763.50 ± 0.34 mg/kg and 947.41 ± 0.64 mg/kg respectively was reported. The difference in concentrations between the two layers of soil for some cationic species may be explained in terms of accumulation of detrites in the topsoil. The pseudoconcentration of CEC by bases was higher in soils of Urhuoka (5.69 ± 0.08 and 5.49 ± 0.06 mol/kg) than Urhuovie (4.29 ± 0.05 and 3.24 ± 0.03 cmol/kg) for the top and subsoil respectively. There was significant difference at levels of P < 0.05 between exchangeable cations and the total fraction for the bases. However, since the soils were acidic to slightly acidic and low in exchangeable bases, there is the need to use organic fertilizers as well as liming so as to enhance the soil pH and nutrient levels if the plain is to be used for intensive agriculture.

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