Characterization, Classification and Land Capability Evalution of Ndoni Meander Belt Soils in Niger Delta.

Abstract

Characterization, classification and land capability evaluation of Ndoni Agroecological zone in the meander belt of the Niger Delta was done. The pedons were identified on the basis of topography, drainage, vegetation, physical, chemical and morphological characteristics. The soil textures were irregular; sandy in the moderately drained levees and recent alluvial deposits but clayey in the poorly drained terrace and backswamps. The soils were generally acid; had moderate to high organic matter, low to moderate total nitrogen, available p, and effective cation exchange capacity with generally high percentage base saturation. The soil morphological and physical characteristics were dominantly used for the land capability evaluation.These include drainage (internal and external), moisture retention capacity, slope, liability to flooding, erosion, effective soil depth and climatic variations. Chemical characteristics were considered only when necessary under effective soil depth.The study area was found to have the capability for crop production. Pedons 1&2 were classified into land capability Class IIe; pedon 3( Class IIw); pedon 4 (Class IIIw) and pedon 5 (Class IVw). Pedons 1and 2 lands were capable for supporting potatoes, yams, cassava, cowpeas, maize, melon, groundnut, fruits and vegetables. Pedons 3 and 4 had the capability to support swamp rice, sugar cane, maize, cowpea, penniaples fruits and vegetables.Pedon 5 soils were capable to support swamp rice and fishing. Soil management measures to control erosion, poor drainage and flooding were recommended. Crop yield in these soils were expected to be high with adequate application of organic fertilizers and lime The soils were classified using the USDA soil taxanomy with approximate correlations with the FAO/UNESCO Soil Map of the World Legend. Soils of pedons 1&2 were classified as Typic Eutropepts and Eutric Tropoudepts (Eutric-cambisols); pedon 3&4 were classified as Vertic and Eutric Endoaquepts (Vertic-Cambisol and Eutric-gleysols;) pedon 5 was grouped as Arenic Fluvaquents. The limitations of the soils to cultivation were predominantly poor drainage/ flooding (w) and soil erosion (e).Key words: Characterization, Classification, Land Capability, Inceptisols, Poor drainage, Erosion

Taxonomic Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Selected Soils of Gboko for Yam and Cassava Production.

“…The amount and distribution of total nitrogen correlated positively with that of organic carbon. This is because the two occur in relatively fixed ratios (Ayolagha and Opene, 2012). Based on the rating by Metson (1961), the soils were very low in nitrogen content.…”

Fertility assessment of soils under different land use in Oguta, Nigeria

“…According to FAO (1990), a silt-clay ratio of less than 0.20 signifies low degree of weathering. However, Ayolagha (2001) posits that old parent materials usually have a SCR below 0.15 while SCR above 0.15 is indicative of young parent materials. Interestingly, results of this study showed that all the soils had silt-clay ratios above 0.2 and 0.15 indicating a high degree of weathering potentials in all the soils.…”

Current and Potential Soil Suitability for Cassava for Sustainable Production in Varying Soils of Bayelsa State Nigeria

“…The relative humidity is between 74 to 89%. The area covers the upper deltaic plain that forms a relatively low-lying broad and more gently sloping portion of the Niger Delta basin, comprising small ox-bow lakes, flood plains, alluvial cones, alluvial fans, natural levees of rivers and creeks and back swamps (Mordi, 1986;Ayolagha, 2001;Kamalu et al, 2002). The soils of Bayelsa State Nigeria are derived from geologic materials of Fluvial and alluvial materials (Figure 2) which are recent deposits of alluvium that have been affected only by slight soil forming process such as the incorporation of humus and the development of mottled color owing to poor drainage (Ayolagha, 2001).…”

“…The area covers the upper deltaic plain that forms a relatively low-lying broad and more gently sloping portion of the Niger Delta basin, comprising small ox-bow lakes, flood plains, alluvial cones, alluvial fans, natural levees of rivers and creeks and back swamps (Mordi, 1986;Ayolagha, 2001;Kamalu et al, 2002). The soils of Bayelsa State Nigeria are derived from geologic materials of Fluvial and alluvial materials (Figure 2) which are recent deposits of alluvium that have been affected only by slight soil forming process such as the incorporation of humus and the development of mottled color owing to poor drainage (Ayolagha, 2001). The study area is within the equatorial rainforest region though the archetype forests around the lake have been replaced by oil palm (Eliasis guineensis) grooves Raffia palms (Farinifera), and agroforestry species such as Bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis,) Cola sp., Plantain (Musa sp.)…”