Authors:
Osujieke, D.N., Imadojemu, P.E., Onwu, C.A. and Ashiekaa, H.T.
|
Abstract:
The study was to characterize and classify soils of Makurdi proximal to River Benue in North
Central, Nigeria. Two soil profile pits were dug, described and sampled base on horizon
differentiation for laboratory analyses. Data generated were analyzed statistically using the
coefficient of variation (CV) and correlation. The textural classes of horizons of the pedons were
predominantly sandy clay loam, sandy loam, and clay loam. Sand fraction had a mean of 550
g/kg in pedon 1 and 470 g/kg in pedon 2. Organic carbon ranged from >_1.5 g/kg ?18.8 g/kg in
pedon 1 and _>0.80 g/kg _<7.00 g/kg in pedon 2 while base saturation had a mean of 42.81 % and
42.75 % in pedons 1 and 2, respectively. The CV indicated that sand, pH(H2O), and total
exchangeable acidity had low variability (_>0.00 % _>11.78 %) while organic carbon and available
phosphorus had high variability (?56.58 % ?115.32 %) among the horizons of the pedons.
However, clay correlated positively (r= 0.405, r= 0.223, r= 0.530) with organic carbon, effective
cation exchange capacity and base saturation. Hence, the soils were classified as Psammentic
Hapludults (Haplic Fluvisols) for pedon 1 and Arenic Kandiudults (Dystric Arenosols) for pedon
2 using USDA soil taxonomy and correlated with world reference base classification system. |
