The Physico-Chemical Properties Of Waterlogged Soils In Anantigha, Calabar South L.G.A. Cross River State

ABSTRACT

Waterlogged soils cultivated with cocoyam in four locations in Anantigha, Calabar South, Cross River State were studied with a view to assessing changes in the V physico-chemical properties of the soils. Soils were sampled at two depths: 0-20cm (surface soil) and 20-40cm (subsurface soil) using the soil auger. Results indicated that there were some similarities among the properties studied. The soils varied in texture with depth from clay loam to sandy clay for the different locations studied. The soils in all locations were strongly acidic with pH ranging from 3.6-3.95. Total nitrogen was low in all the locations with the average of 0.3%. Available P was generally low in all the locations with values less than 20mgkg 1and considered as highly suitable for cocoyam production. Base saturation was high in all locations ranging from 64-78%. Organic carbon ranged between 3.67-4.72% for surface and subsurface soils. Effective action exchange capacity ECEC of the soils ranged from I2.06-16.80cmollkg. Textural differences did not affect the soil physico-chemical properties studied.