Background: The soil is a fundamental natural resource of any nation hence proper assessment of the kind and extent of this resource is prerequisite to its improvement and rational use. Method: Random sampling technique was used to collect soils from each of the 18 LGAs of Cross River State, Nigeria and each separated into two parts. One part was used for the cultivation of local maize while the other part of soil was analysed for pedochemical properties and fertility indices. Result: The results reveal that organic carbon ranged from 1.40 g/kg3 to 2.84 g/kg3. Available Phosphorus varied from 3.31 mg/kg to 29.24 mg/kg. The value of total nitrogen varied from 0.11 g/kg3 to 0.24 g/kg3. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) also varied from 7.01 Cmol/kg3 to 12.01 Cmol/kg3. The soils across the agroecology were more acidic 5.00 to less acidic 0.61. Boron varied from 0.52 mg/kg3 to 2.01 mg/kg3 while Zinc also ranged from 1.93 mg/kg3 to 5.0 mg/kg3. The results also show that 33.33% of the soils were rated high, medium and low for available phosphorus. It was identified that total nitrogen nutrient fertility ratings for the soils was 77.78% high fertility ratings and 22.22% medium fertility ratings. Results identified organic carbon fertility rating was of high fertility rating of 72.23% while 27.67% medium rating was identified for organic carbon content. Ten (10) principal components (PC) were identified to contribute to the total 100% support for maize crop production in the study area.

High humidity favours the proliferation of a wide range of weed species. Studying the phytosociological attributes of weeds in a humid area provides insight into the dynamism and relative importance of each weed species peculiar to the area which is very important in understanding crop-weed interrelationships and highlights the bases for effective management stratages. An experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons at the Department of Crop Science Teaching and Research Farm, University of Calabar, to identify the predominant weeds in the farm area and assess their responses to polyethylene colour and soil solarization duration. The experiment was a factorial combination of two polyethylene colour (black and transparent) and five in situ soil solarization durations (0, 8, 12, 16 and 48 weeks), laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on the phytosociological characteristics of the weeds on four weekly intervals up to the twentieth week. The predominant weeds identified in the experimental area were Eragrostis ciliaris L., Cynodoon dactylon L., Panicum maximum Jacq., Axonopus compressus Beav., Kyllinga bulbosa Beav. and Kyllinga erecta Schum., Gloriosa superba L., Ipomoea involuncrata P., Calapogonium mucunoides Desv., Aspillia bussei O. Hoff, Ageratum conyzoides L., Phyllantus amarus Schum., Caldum bicolor Vent., Triumfeta rhomboidea Jacq., Cleome rutidosperma DC., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Mitracarpos villosus DC., Oldenladia. herbacea L. The relative density of Caladum bicolor was higher across the treatment in both years, reaching up to 37.7 % in the plot solarized for 16 weeks using black polyethylene, followed by P. maximum with upto 18.40 % in 2019 and Gloriosa superba (20.50 %) in 2020. The highest Important Value Index was recorded by Caladum bicolor reaching up to 28.7 % in the plot solarized for 16 weeks using black polyethylene. The lowest species variation was recorded in the plots solarized for 16 to 48 weeks irrespective of the polyethylene colour. In situ solarization of up to sixteen weeks using black polyethylene effectively controlled majority of the weed species in both years and is recommended for effective weed suppression in cassava farms in humid environment.

Field experiment was conducted in the 2019 and 2020 early cropping seasons at the University of Calabar Teaching and Research Farm, Calabar, to assess the foliage yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) as affected by organic manure and cutting frequency on soil of Calabar. The experiment was a factorial combination of four poultry manure rates (0, 3, 6 and 9 tonnes per hectare) and three cutting frequency (2, 3 and 4 weekly intervals), laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on vine length, number of leaves, internode length, fresh leaves, dry matter weights and soil physico-chemical properties, and analyzed. Significant means were compared using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (FLSD) at 5 % probability. Results indicated that the sand proportions decreased after harvest while the silt and clay proportions, the soil pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, organic matter, potassium, magnesium, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and base saturation all increased after harvest in both cropping years. There were significant (p <.0. 05) effects of PM, cutting frequency and their interactions on vine length, number of leaves, internode length, fresh leaves and leaves dry matter weights in both years of study. Plots treated with 9 t/ha of PM produced the longest vines, higher number of leaves, heavier fresh leaf and leaf dry matter. This was followed by plots treated with 6 t/ha of PM while the lowest was the plot with zero PM treatment. Foliage harvest at 3-weekly cut intervals produced the highest cumulative number of leaves, fresh leaf and leaf dry matter weights, followed by the 4-weekly cut intervals while the lowest was the 2-weekly cut intervals. The interaction of 9 t/ha PM with 3-weekly cut intervals produced the best effect and is therefore recommended.